Govt gives aid for illegals
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The central government has started disbursing financial aid to regional administrations to help illegal Indonesian workers return home.
In Surabaya, East Java, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Affairs Ruchadi handed over Rp 250 million (US$27,700) to Vice Governor Imam Supardi on Friday to ensure the workers return to their families, Antara reported.
In Nunukan, East Kalimantan, the central government has reportedly delivered Rp 350 million out of the planned Rp 1.35 billion aid to the local administration to deal with returning illegal workers.
Meanwhile, in Batam, Riau, about 18,000 illegal workers have returned to their home provinces after stopping on the island, which is considered the safest place to transit from Malaysia.
In Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, at least 1,000 illegal workers from the province have been sent home from Nunukan aboard a Navy vessel.
Rochadi told Vice Governor Imam on Friday that the money should be given to workers who could not afford to return home.
"Those who have already reached home will not be given any aid," he said.
Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla said earlier the government had earmarked Rp 30 billion to deal with the returning migrant workers.
Rochadi added the workers could return to Malaysia as long as they had legal immigration documents and the appropriate skills to work there.
About 480,000 illegal Indonesian workers had to return home after Malaysia implemented strict new immigration legislation on Aug. 1. Illegal immigrants there now face the cane, a fine or a jail sentence.
The government set up a task force on Monday consisting of various ministries to cope with problems linked to illegal workers returning from Malaysia.
Although the move is seemingly overdue, it could help reduce the hardship being faced by illegal workers because at least they could return home free of charge.
Separately, Minister Jusuf Kalla admitted here on Friday the government had to reorganize its policy on overseas worker affairs.
"There is a positive side to the return of illegal workers. We must improve the procedures involved in sending workers overseas," he was quoted by Antara as saying after attending a session at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).
He didn't provide any details.
According to him, he had coordinated with Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea to improve policy regarding overseas workers.
Indonesia has failed to lobby Malaysia to ensure that illegal Indonesian workers can legally return to Malaysia.
It has also fallen short of asking Malaysia to extend the period for illegal workers to return home by one month.
Meanwhile, Minister Jacob added the government should give more attention and protection to Indonesian workers overseas, not only in Malaysia.
"We shouldn't have to wait until the number reaches thousands of workers. Any single Indonesian citizen overseas must be protected," he added.