Dozens Of Illegal TKW From NTB Destination For Saudi Arabia Arrested In Jakarta

Illegal TKW when repatriated at the Manpower and Transmigration Office of Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Friday (6/24/2022).(ANTARA/Ist.)

PRAYA - The Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) succeeded in thwarting the sending of dozens of female labor candidates (TKW) from Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), who wanted to work in Saudi Arabia.

"They (TKW, ed) are secured in a shelter or rented house in the Jakarta area," said Head of UPT BP2MI Mataram, Abri Danar di Praya, quoted by Antara, Friday, June 24.

The dozens of TKW who failed to leave came from Central Lombok Regency as many as 11 people, East Lombok 8 people, West Lombok one person and North Lombok Regency 4 people.

These TKWs are repatriated and picked up by their respective families, but before returning home, they must sign a letter of agreement not to return to depart illegally. "There are 24 PMIs who were sent home today and all of them are women," he said.

The TKW are the result of prevention carried out by BP2MI in DKI Jakarta Province. This prevention is done, because they will be dispatched abroad unofficially or non-procedurally.

"They will work as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia," he said.

According to him, the government reminded PMI who went abroad to be competent, so that his party would also continue to coordinate with the Regional Government and NTB Province to always work together in disseminating information on PMI departures in accordance with procedures.

“We must also make firm efforts against the perpetrators (who dispatched them, ed). Besides that, we also have to provide guidance to people who almost departed non-procedurally and we managed to catch them for coaching," he said.

The government makes various requirements for citizens who want to work abroad, the aim is none other than to provide protection to PMI. Because if PMI meets tekong, it will get various promises and make it easier as if they don't have the important requirements that residents want to leave without considering the risks.

"Indeed, there are many things that make our brothers leave non-procedural, but in the future we must continue to make improvements," he said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Regent of Central Lombok, HM Nursiah expressed his gratitude to BP2MI who had succeeded in thwarting PMIs who were about to depart illegally, especially those from Central Lombok.

"Citizens must obey the government if they want to go abroad, this is important to protect and guarantee citizens who try their luck abroad," he said.