DPR asks the government to prepare alternatives for the placement of PMI if a moratorium is imposed

Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Netty Prasetiyani Aher, asked the government to carefully consider the plan for a moratorium on sending Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) to conflict areas in the Middle East, including alternative options for placement of prospective PMI if it is later implemented. According to Netty, protection of PMI must be the top priority, especially in uncertain geopolitical situations.

"The safety of migrant workers must be the main consideration. In a conflict situation, the risks faced are not only physical, but also psychological," Netty told reporters, Friday, April 10.

However, Netty emphasized that the moratorium policy needs to be accompanied by comprehensive mitigation measures so as not to have a subsequent impact on prospective migrant workers.

"If a moratorium is imposed, the government needs to prepare alternatives for placement in safer countries, so that employment opportunities for the community remain open," he said.

Netty also highlighted the importance of the Government's readiness in facing the possibility of an escalation of the conflict, including in terms of evacuation and protection for PMI who are currently still in the Middle East region.

The government is known to have prepared return services and facilities for PMI if tensions in the Middle East increase again. The government also provides psychological support services for workers who feel their spirits are affected by conflicts that can be accessed online.

"Steps to evacuate, assist, and provide psychological services for PMI must be ensured to run optimally and be easily accessible," said Netty.

Furthermore, the Commission Member of the DPR who deals with PMI affairs reminded the P2MI Ministry to continue to coordinate with related parties regarding strategic policies regarding mitigation of PMI protection, such as with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including by involving the DPR in every strategic policy making.

The PKS legislator from the West Java VIII constituency hopes that every policy taken by the Government will still consider the balance between the aspects of protection and the sustainability of the economy of migrant workers.

"We want to ensure that the State is present to protect migrant workers, while still opening opportunities for sustainable welfare for them," said Netty.

As is known, the Minister of Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) Mukhtarudin opened the opportunity to carry out a moratorium on sending PMI to conflict areas as an anticipation of the escalation of the Middle East conflict between Israel-United States and Iran.

The Ministry of P2MI noted that there were still 20 thousand migrant workers working in the Middle East region. About 4,000 workers are stationed at the borders of Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan, and 16,000 people are at the borders of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

As a precautionary measure, the Ministry of P2MI has mitigated through identifying and mapping areas to find out which areas are at risk of being affected by conflicts when placing workers. Areas that are considered very prone to conflict will be avoided for placement locations as a form of easing the atmosphere or cooling down.