Moratorium on Sending Indonesian Migrant Workers Effective

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - House Speaker Marzuki Alie said the moratorium on the sending of Indonesian migrant workers(TKIs), especially housemaids, to Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East, will take effect on August 1, 2011.

"Last night (on June 22) I phoned Pak (Mr) Jumhur (head of the Indonesian workers placement and protection agency/BNP2TKI) that he has responded and decided to stop the sending of TKIs, housemaids in particular, to the Middle East, Saudi Arabia in particular, but as of August 1, 2011," Marzuki Alie told the press at his office here on Thursday.

Earlier on Tuesday, a House plenum decided to impose a moratorium on the sending of Indonesian migrant workers (TKIs) countries, especially those who refused to sign an MoU on the protection of Indonesian migrant workers. DPR will change its mind and revoke the moratorium after systematic improvements had been made on the regulations on the sending of TKIs overseas for employment.

Marzuki said BNP2TKI asked the moratorium on the sending of TKIs be effective until August 1, 2011, as its preparations need time. "It would be a pity for those who have followed special training and ready to go, had to cancel their trip."

The House Speaker said further that the moratorium needs to be followed up by the government because DPR fully realized that many employment problems were still unresolved.

On the occasion, the House Speaker also mentioned the target of legalization this year. He said that as the problem is the responsibility of the House and government, any delay or lack of preparedness in the legalization process would eventually be the responsibility of the House and the government.