Illegal migrant worker from Cirebon falls ill in Saudi Arabia, local government facilitates repatriation

The Manpower Office (Disnaker) of Cirebon Regency, West Java, is facilitating the repatriation of an illegal Indonesian Migrant Worker (PMI) from the area who has been reported ill in Saudi Arabia. Head of Disnaker Cirebon Regency, Novi Hendrianto, in Cirebon on Wednesday, stated that the PMI is not registered in the official placement system, thus categorised as having departed through a non-procedural route. “The results of the check in SISKOP2MI show that the individual is not registered, meaning via an illegal channel,” he said. Despite the illegal status, he added, the local government remains present to provide protection and prioritises the repatriation of the PMI. He mentioned that Disnaker is currently coordinating with relevant ministries as well as the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Saudi Arabia. “Our main focus is to ensure that the individual can be repatriated to Cirebon as soon as possible,” he stated. He noted that since early 2024, his office has facilitated the repatriation of around 10 problematic PMIs, whether due to illness, death, or other cases. Novi said that handling problematic PMIs is quite complex because it involves regulations in the host country, including challenges with employer permissions. In this case, he continued, there are indications of confinement by the agent which could potentially fall under Human Trafficking Criminal Acts (TPPO), so the handling requires involvement from Saudi authorities. He explained that the migrant worker is Sandra Indriani (31), a resident of Gunung Jati Subdistrict, working as an elderly caregiver in Saudi Arabia, who fell ill after surgery. “Her condition has been unwell for about a month and she is unable to work, so we are pushing for her immediate repatriation,” he said. Meanwhile, the husband of the migrant worker, Wisnu, said that they had visited the Disnaker office with an accompanier to report the condition and hope that the government can quickly assist with the repatriation process. “Because her condition no longer allows her to work, we hope she can be repatriated soon,” Wisnu stated.