PMI Moratorium Revoked, PKB: Foreign Exchange Is Not Comparable To Life

JAKARTA - Head of the PMI DPP PKB Task Force Nihayatul Wafiroh urged the government not to rashly revoke the moratorium on sending Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) to Saudi Arabia. He said the government must ensure concrete PMI guarantees in Saudi Arabia.

The woman who is familiarly called Ninik explained the history of the PMI moratorium to Saudi Arabia because of the many cases that befell PMI.

"We at PKB asked the government not to rashly revoke the PMI moratorium to Arabia. We used to remember very well that the moratorium was carried out because many of our PMIs were unprotected, cases after cases hit them. Now we want to open it even though the solution is not clear," said Ninik, Friday, March 21.

The deputy chairman of Commission IX of the DPR encouraged comprehensive improvements before the reopening of PMI placements in individual employers in Saudi Arabia. According to him, PMI placement must continue to prioritize protection aspects and involve relevant stakeholders.

"Of course PMI protection is the main thing. How is the management there, is it really ready to accept our PMI, what if there is a problem later, how will it be resolved, it must be confirmed first," he said.

The legislator from Banyuwangi Regency then reminded that currently there are still many cases that have befallen a number of PMIs in Arabia. Both in the form of slavery practices, sexual violence, to the threat of the death penalty.

"There are still many PMI problems. Slavery still exists, sexual and physical violence is still happening, some are threatened with the death penalty. Even though now it's a moratorium, you know, I can't imagine if the moratorium was opened before it clears the protection first," he said.

"So don't just because PMI can contribute to large foreign exchange and then want to open a moratorium. Or not just because of the lure of job vacancies that are many there, then we are complacent. Remember, foreign exchange is not proportional to PMI's lives and safety," he said.

In addition, Ninik also reminded about the One Canal Placement System (SPSK) which has been compiled since 2021. According to him, the government should seriously implement SPSK in the PMI placement process.

"We actually already have a SPSK that was prepared as a solution and evaluation of the PMI moratorium to Arabia. But so far it has never been seriously implemented, nor has the government of Saudi Arabia seemed unwilling to implement it," he said.

"So instead of revoking the moratorium, the SPSK should be taken seriously. Because the system was created to integrate the placement of PMI and the government of the country for placement purposes, no longer individuals, but G to G," added Ninik.