Govt gives aid for illegals

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.