KP2MI Reveals Indonesian Migrant Workers Sent to Saudi Arabia Using 'Support Worker' Visas, Despite Working as Domestic Helpers

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Director General of Migrant Worker Protection at the Ministry of Migrant Worker Protection (KP2MI), Rinardi, stated that PT Bahtera Tullus Karya sent prospective Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) to several countries in the Middle East using work visas with the job title of ‘support worker’.

Rinardi warned that this could become a new tactic that other companies will follow.

“The term sounds good, ‘Support Worker’. And it may be easier to pass through the Enjaz system of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Jakarta, in Indonesia,” said Rinardi at the Ministry of KP2MI office, Jakarta, Thursday (February 26, 2026).

As a result, PMI experience excessive workloads and are employed by more than one employer.

This situation causes health problems and various issues during their work abroad.

KP2MI revealed several violations committed by PT Bahtera Tullus Karya, leading to the imposition of administrative sanctions in the form of a temporary suspension.

The violations include the company not conducting the selection process for prospective Indonesian migrant workers through the labor department at the district/city level or through the Integrated One-Stop Service (LTSA) for Indonesian Migrant Workers.

“The company also did not report the results of the selection of prospective migrant workers to the labor department in the district/city,” said Rinardi.

Another administrative violation is that PT Bahtera Tullus Karya did not register and include prospective migrant workers in the Pre-Departure Orientation (OPP).

“And that was not done at all. This means they are sending them off without any preparation, meaning the company is leaving them without any information about what they will face in the future,” he added.

The most serious violation is that PT Bahtera Tullus Karya placed prospective Indonesian migrant workers in countries with closed-door status.