Migrant Watch Urges Malaysia to Thoroughly Investigate Abuse of Indonesian Migrant Workers
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Non-governmental organisation Migrant Watch is urging the Malaysian government to thoroughly investigate all forms of violence, exploitation, human trafficking, and rights violations against Indonesian migrant workers (PMI), particularly three workers from Aceh who were abused in Malaysia.
“Violence against migrant workers in any form cannot be justified under any circumstances,” said Triana Dewi Seroja, an advocate and PMI activist, during a press conference in Jakarta on Friday.
She stressed that every migrant worker is a human being with dignity, human rights, and the right to protection from all forms of violence, exploitation, human trafficking, and degrading treatment.
Triana also urged the Malaysian government to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of policies, narratives, and practices that reinforce stigma against migrant workers, and to foster a culture and public education that respects migrant workers as human beings and upholds human rights.
Migrant Watch further called on both Indonesia and Malaysia to strengthen protection systems for migrant workers through effective oversight, accessible complaint mechanisms, adequate legal assistance, and prevention of violence and exploitation.
Additionally, the organisation demanded a total overhaul of the governance of Indonesian migrant worker placement, including the eradication of illegal recruitment networks, human trafficking, and corrupt practices that render migrant workers vulnerable to abuse.
Migrant Watch also requested that the Indonesian government establish a National Task Force for the Handling and Protection of PMI, involving multiple ministries, law enforcement agencies, academics, and civil society organisations, and bring systemic and widespread human rights violations against migrant workers to international human rights forums and mechanisms to ensure justice for victims.
On 18 June, the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Johor Bahru confirmed it was providing assistance and protection to three Indonesian migrant workers from Aceh who were victims of violence by their employer in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, a case that went viral on social media.