Migrant Watch Appreciates Wantimpres for Repatriating 3 Migrant Workers

Riyadh, VIVA – Members of Indonesia's Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres), Sidarto Danusubroto and Djan Faridz, visited Saudi Arabia on August 26.

The purpose of the visit was to gather information regarding the issues faced by Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) and to repatriate three PMI and their three children back to Riyadh.

The visit was later praised by the Executive Director of Migrant Watch, Aznil Tan, for the Indonesian government's concern for PMI.

“I extend my salute and appreciation to the members of the Presidential Advisory Council, Sidarto Danusubroto and Djan Faridz, for assisting in the return of Indonesian Migrant Workers from Saudi Arabia," Tan said in a statement on Friday (August 30).

“In my entire life, this is the first time I've seen such concern from high-ranking officials, like those in the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres), who are willing to personally help our PMI,” he added.

Tan revealed that many migrant workers receive inadequate attention from the government, particularly in Saudi Arabia. He stressed that the state should be present when PMI need assistance.

“The condition of Indonesian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia is very concerning, as many are abandoned and facing problems, with some even being sentenced to death,” he said.

However, regardless of the issues they are facing, the state must be present to provide protection for its citizens.

According to Tan, migrant workers are economic heroes, generating the second-largest foreign exchange after oil and gas, and therefore they must be protected.

“What Wantimpres members Sidarto and Djan Faridz have done is a commendable example, and we should all appreciate it. While everyone is busy with political affairs, there are still high-ranking officials who care about the fate of PMI,” Tan remarked.

As information, the repatriated migrant workers are from Indramayu, Sumbawa, and Sukabumi, and the three children are aged 4 years, 10 months, and 5 months, bringing the total number of Indonesian citizens to six.

“Moving forward, I hope more officials in this country will care about the fate of PMI. The problems faced by PMI are at a critical point and should be a concern for all of us. We express our gratitude to Sidarto Danusubroto and Djan Faridz for repatriating PMI along with their children,” he concluded.