Still under moratorium, Ministry of PMI Protection cracks down on brokers sending workers to the Middle East

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) continues to strive to eradicate brokers sending migrant workers to the Middle East, as the moratorium on placements in that region remains in effect. “Placements to the Middle East are still prohibited, in accordance with the moratorium set by Ministerial Decision No. 260 of 2015; however, we cannot turn a blind eye, as many still depart secretly,” said Director General of Protection at the Ministry of P2MI, Rinardi, in Jakarta on Monday. He explained that his office has recorded 25,000 non-procedural migrant workers who risk departing for the Middle East each year to work there, including as domestic workers, even though the moratorium has not been lifted. “Therefore, we are focusing on eradicating these brokers and ensuring that prospective PMI are not swayed by their enticements,” Rinardi added. However, upon arrival, these prospective migrant workers do not perform the umrah pilgrimage and instead proceed directly to other countries in the region, such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt. Rinardi acknowledged that prosecuting these non-procedural migrant workers is not easy, as they hold umrah visas and claim to be travelling to the Middle East for the umrah pilgrimage when interviewed by immigration officials. “They can show their passports, their visas are valid, they have money—although it may have been arranged beforehand—and they appear as if they are going for umrah,” said Rinardi. “We will continue to pursue these brokers and report them to law enforcement authorities,” Rinardi stated. The Ministry of P2MI is also continuously enhancing educational efforts for the public wishing to work abroad, encouraging them to do so legally through legitimate institutions and to destinations recognised by the Indonesian Government.