Tanjungpinang - A member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of\nRepresentatives, Sihar P.H. Sitorus, has urged residents of Riau Islands\nProvince (Kepri) who wish to work abroad to follow official procedures\nin order to obtain legal protection.<\/p>\n
Sihar did not deny that every citizen has the right to improve their\nstandard of living, including by working overseas.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat needs to be noted is that the process must be correct,\nfollowing procedures up to obtaining a work permit abroad. Because when\nproblems occur, the authorities\u2019 response will differ between legal\nworkers and those who are not,\u201d said Sihar during a working visit to\nTanjungpinang City, Kepri, on Thursday (23\/4).<\/p>\n
He also highlighted the prevalence of deportation cases involving\nIndonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) caused by various factors, such as\nviolations of residence permits to involvement in activities contrary to\nthe laws of the host country. This situation requires collective\nattention.<\/p>\n
Sihar encouraged the public to utilise the official channels provided\nby the government, including government-to-government (G2G) and\ngovernment-to-business (G2B) cooperation schemes. Although the\nprocedures are relatively longer, these channels are considered far\nsafer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf through official procedures, if something unwanted happens, the\nhandling will be easier because there is a system that can protect,\u201d he\nexplained.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, he emphasised the importance of dissemination by the\ngovernment and related stakeholders down to the village level so that\nthe public understands the correct procedures for working abroad.<\/p>\n
With thorough preparation, he said, it is hoped that prospective PMIs\ncan work more calmly and protected.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe initial step is massive dissemination, so that the public can\nprepare themselves well and follow the existing procedures,\u201d Sihar\nconcluded.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Head of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection\nAgency (BP3MI) in Kepri, Police Commissioner Imam Riyadi, reported a\nsignificant surge in the number of services and protections for PMIs,\ndominated by deportation cases.<\/p>\n
He stated that Kepri is highly vulnerable to non-procedural\ndepartures due to its strategic geographical location as an\ninternational gateway.<\/p>\n
He detailed that throughout 2025, BP3MI Kepri has protected 5,882\nPMIs, including 4,525 deportations or returns from abroad, prevention of\n1,188 illegal PMI departures, security for 45 people, handling of 3 PMI\nbodies, repatriation of 58 people, and assistance for 33 vulnerable or\nill individuals.<\/p>\n
BP3MI Kepri, together with all relevant stakeholders, continues to\ncommit to preventing illegal PMI departures, one of which is through the\nmain gateway in Batam City.<\/p>\n
Moreover, there is currently a trend of illegal PMIs in Cambodia who\nhave recently returned to Indonesia and are then sent out again with\ndifferent identities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis must receive special attention from all parties in supervising\nillegal PMIs at both official and unofficial port routes,\u201d said\nCommissioner Riyadi.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/legislator-urges-kepri-residents-to-follow-procedures-for-working-abroad-1776988339", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }