Minister P2MI Accelerates Repatriation of Migrant Worker from West Java in Libya
The Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) is conducting intensive coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indonesian Embassy in Tripoli, and other relevant ministries and agencies to handle the case of an Indonesian migrant worker with the initials AJ who is in Libya. The steps are being taken to ascertain the victim’s condition, provide protection, facilitate the repatriation process to Indonesia, and follow up on allegations of the criminal act of human trafficking.
Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, Mukhtarudin, explained that the case surfaced after a video circulated on social media showing AJ, a migrant worker from West Java, pleading for help to be returned to Indonesia.
“Based on the results of coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy in Tripoli, AJ is known to be in Benghazi, eastern Libya. The Indonesian Embassy in Tripoli has successfully conducted an initial search for the victim’s whereabouts, communicated with relevant parties at the location, and obtained the individual’s identity documents. The migrant worker is currently under the intensive protection of the Indonesian Embassy in Tripoli,” Mukhtarudin stated on Tuesday.
The P2MI Ministry, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is currently pursuing the repatriation process for AJ to Indonesia, noting that there are a number of legal, administrative, and financial consequences that must be resolved in accordance with applicable regulations in Libya before repatriation can be carried out.
“The government is currently continuing to coordinate with all relevant parties to expedite the completion of this process, while ensuring that AJ’s protection rights are fulfilled,” he added.
The P2MI Ministry expressed its appreciation to the Indonesian Embassy in Tripoli and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their rapid response and protective measures taken to ascertain the whereabouts, condition, and handling of the Indonesian citizen amidst the security situation and operational challenges in Libya.
On the other hand, the P2MI Ministry has found initial indications that AJ’s departure was allegedly carried out through non-procedural means. Based on information received, the victim has been in Libya for more than a year and was allegedly dispatched by a sponsor who is currently being traced.
“Following up on this, we have coordinated the handling through the Migrant Worker Protection Coordination Desk with relevant ministries and agencies, as well as coordinating with the Human Trafficking Task Force to investigate the alleged illegal recruitment network to uncover the human trafficking syndicate suspected of being involved in the victim’s non-procedural dispatch to Libya,” Mukhtarudin emphasised.
The P2MI Ministry continues to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indonesian Embassy in Tripoli, law enforcement officials, and local governments to ensure the victim’s condition and safety, facilitate the repatriation process to Indonesia in accordance with applicable regulations, trace the sponsors and recruitment networks suspected of dispatching the victim non-procedurally, and provide assistance and protection to the victim and their family.
“We remind the public not to be easily tempted by offers to work abroad through unofficial channels. The placement of Indonesian migrant workers must be carried out according to applicable procedures so that their rights, safety, and protection can be guaranteed from before departure until their return to the homeland,” he concluded.
The P2MI Ministry will continue to convey the progress of this case’s handling to the public based on the results of coordination with relevant ministries and agencies.