Indonesian Migrant Workers Victims Of TIP From Banten Died In Egyptian Prisons

Illustration of human trafficking (ANTARA)

LEBAK A migrant worker from Sajira District, Lebak Regency, Banten, named Inah (45), died while serving a prison sentence in Egypt. Inah is known to be a victim of the Crime of Trafficking in Persons (TPPO) after working in Cairo through a non-procedural route.

The head of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Volunteer Community (KRPMI) of Lebak Regency, Nining Widianingsih, confirmed the news. "The victim is a migrant worker who is included in the TIP category. He was sentenced to three years in prison by a court in Egypt and died of illness while serving his sentence," Nining said when contacted in Rangkasbitung, Lebak, as reported by ANTARA.

Inah is not officially registered by the Lebak Regency Manpower Office. This case adds to the long list of TIPs in the area. Throughout 2024, the Lebak Regency Government recorded at least 10 TIP cases involving local residents.

These victims were dispatched to various countries such as Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia through illegal routes. Although most of the victims were successfully repatriated after their families reported to the Manpower Office, there were still major challenges in monitoring the whereabouts of residents who were migrant workers without official procedures.

"We immediately coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after receiving reports from families of TIP victims to handle this case," Nining added.

According to Nining, victims of TIP in Lebak Regency generally come from the pockets of migrant workers such as Maja and Sajira Districts. He emphasized the importance of collecting data on residents at the RT/RW level so that their existence can be monitored better.

"Often people who go to work abroad through non-procedural channels do not report their departure to RT/RW. This makes it difficult for the government to monitor and protect them," he said.

The Lebak Regency Manpower Office also continues to strive to reduce the number of TIPs through socialization to the community. The Head of the Manpower Expansion and Training Placement Division, Deni Triasih, said that the majority of victims of the TIP went to use company services without official permission or through brokers.

Many victims are tempted by work offers abroad without understanding the risks. We remind the public to use official channels so that the government can provide protection and supervision," said Deni.

Local governments hope that by increasing supervision, socialization, and cross-agency cooperation, TIP cases such as those experienced by Inah can be prevented in the future.