The fate of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) abroad remains\nprecarious. They are frequently vulnerable to mistreatment, including\nphysical abuse, sexual harassment, extreme working hours without proper\ncompensation, and confinement. Such cruel treatment often befalls\nillegal workers because their passports are withheld by employers and\nthey lack legal protection.<\/p>\n
One recent abuse case involving an illegal PMI went viral on social\nmedia. A circulated video showed a female worker, identified by the\ninitials YY, being assaulted by her employer in Malaysia. She was not\nonly slapped but also beaten by a man in a blue shirt while sitting\nhelplessly on a sofa. The victim groaned in pain and made no attempt to\nfight back. In a subsequent scene, another woman struck the victim on\nthe head while a third woman recorded the violence. Malaysian police\nreportedly arrested four individuals for the assault. This is just one\nof many incidents befalling illegal PMIs who seek their fortunes abroad\nwithout following official procedures.<\/p>\n
The inhumane treatment experienced by illegal Indonesian migrant\nworkers is not an isolated occurrence. According to data from the\nMinistry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), an\nestimated 4.3 million PMIs are currently working abroad illegally or\nnon-procedurally. This figure nearly matches the number of officially\nregistered migrant workers, and these undocumented individuals are\nhighly susceptible to violence, exploitation, and human trafficking.<\/p>\n
World Bank records indicate the total number of Indonesian migrant\nworkers is around 9 million. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has handled\nhundreds of cases involving Indonesian citizens and migrant workers who\nhave become victims of exploitation and trafficking. National data on\nhuman trafficking reveals that sending victims to become illegal migrant\nworkers is the most common modus operandi, accounting for hundreds of\ncases.<\/p>\n
Specifically for female migrant workers, the National Commission on\nViolence Against Women\u2019s annual records document at least 314 cases of\nviolence. Illegal female PMIs are at high risk of experiencing layered\nexploitation, including physical and sexual violence by employers, wage\ndeductions or withholding, extreme working hours, and jobs that do not\nmatch initial promises. Data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also\nshows that 165 Indonesian citizens are facing the death penalty abroad,\nwith most cases rooted in labour issues and self-defence in emergency\nsituations.<\/p>\n
By definition, illegal or non-procedural migrant workers are those\nwho depart, enter, or work in a destination country without valid\npermits. Various essential documents\u2014from work visas to\nwelfare-guaranteeing contracts\u2014are ignored to cut waiting times and\ncosts. Although entering non-procedurally may save money, these workers\noften suffer misfortune. Instead of earning a large salary, they\nfrequently face mistreatment.<\/p>\n
Experience has repeatedly shown that illegal PMIs generally come from\npoor families in rural areas with limited education. They are vulnerable\nto the sweet talk of brokers or syndicates who promise fantastic\nsalaries and an instant process. The reality, however, is the opposite.\nUpon arrival in the destination country, their passports are typically\nconfiscated by employers, their freedom is taken away, and they are\nforced to work like slaves around the clock.<\/p>\n
Due to their illegal status, these workers are highly prone to\nviolence. Many employers are aware that undocumented workers have a weak\nbargaining position under local law. Consequently, they easily\nperpetrate exploitation, ranging from wage deductions or withholding to\ninhuman working hours and physical and psychological abuse. Many female\nillegal PMIs also become victims of sexual violence by brokers or\nemployers in the host country.<\/p>\n
Heartbreaking incidents involving illegal PMIs occur time and again.\nThe recent event in Malaysia is just one piece of evidence. Abroad, due\nto their non-procedural status, illegal PMIs are vulnerable to cruel\ntorture, being burned with hot objects, or simply abandoned on the\nstreets without severance pay and in injured conditions. Under duress\nand fearing deportation by local authorities, victims tend to remain\nsilent rather than seek help. They are trapped in a vicious cycle that\nthreatens their lives.<\/p>\n
Deputy Chairman of House Commission IX, Yahya Zaini, expressed\nconcern over the abuse of the female worker YY in Malaysia. In addition\nto urging the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers to\ntighten supervision to curb non-procedural worker dispatches, he also\ndemanded adequate protection and handling for YY as a victim of abuse\nabroad, despite her illegal status.<\/p>\n
Amid a struggling domestic economy, seeking work abroad is a tempting\noption. Becoming a migrant worker is the right of every citizen to\nimprove their standard of living. However, this right must be exercised\nin a dignified, safe manner that complies with applicable regulations.\nProtecting illegal migrant workers who become victims of abuse abroad is\nnot a justification for violating immigration procedures, but rather a\ntangible manifestation of the state\u2019s presence in guaranteeing the\nsafety of life and human dignity.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/protecting-indonesias-illegal-migrant-workers-1781585532", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }