Repatriation of workers is bittersweet

Repatriation of workers is bittersweet

Malaysia on Monday repatriated 2,500 illegal Indonesian migrant workers from Pasir Gudang, in the biggest ever deportation it has ever conducted.

Executed at a cost of US$112,000, the repatriation ran smoothly, supervised by Indonesian marines and Malaysian police officers carrying guns and clubs. Indonesian warships, brought these people home. Some cried, while others simply smiled when embarking.

Next month, another 1,700 Indonesians illegally working in palm plantations, construction sites, private homes or karaoke clubs will be repatriated.

It is a deeply moving report, as these people constitute one of the symbols of failure in our development initiatives. As it is hard, if not impossible, to find jobs at home, many Indonesians have taken the risk, which in many cases they are well aware of, of being employed overseas.

We are enraged that the country's riches have been plundered by corruptors. Otherwise, Indonesia would be a paradise for its people. We regret in this holy month of Ramadhan that we have to expose this bitterness, a feeling shared by all good Indonesians. We are embittered to see super-rich people going about freely after looting the country's wealth, which is enough to provide jobs to millions of Indonesians.

We understand why Malaysia has to take this measure. Over a million migrant workers, the majority from Indonesia, are there. The present economic slowdown has prompted Malaysia to tighten its labor regulations and deport migrant workers failing to meet them. This will assure its people of jobs.

Indonesian Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea has reportedly attempted to limit this repatriation. But this is not enough. What matters more is to ensure the availability of jobs at home.

While 60 percent of Indonesians live in poverty, 10 percent to 20 percent of whom live in absolute poverty, more serious economic trouble is threatening the country because of the economic slowdown.

It is hoped this repatriation will make us, especially the government, realize it takes real seriousness to deal with the myriad of grave problems confronting us. Otherwise, the day will come when Indonesians are reported as boat people dead at sea by the hundreds.

-- Kompas, Jakarta