Yohanes Seo, Kupang – Suratmi Hamida, head of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP3MI) in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), revealed that between January and April this year, 49 Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) from NTT were repatriated deceased.
The majority were undocumented, illegal migrants, with only four having left through legal channels; the rest lacked proper documentation.
Suratmi stated that the highest number of victims came from Ende Regency (11), followed by Malaka (9), and East Flores (8). "All deceased migrant workers have been repatriated and buried in their hometowns. None were buried abroad," she said.
This tragedy underscores the ongoing issue of illegal migration in NTT, emphasizing the urgent need for education and stricter oversight for prospective migrant workers.
Human trafficking crisis in NTT
In 2023, the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) reported that 2,793 people in NTT have fallen victim to human trafficking over the past five years, with victims originating from Kupang, North Central Timor, South Central Timor, Malaka, and East Flores. "These five regions are in a human trafficking crisis," Komnas HAM commissioner Anis Hidayah stated on May 26, 2023.
Poverty, limited access to education, and weak law enforcement are key factors driving this crisis. The trafficking syndicates employ varied tactics, from falsifying travel purposes to using transit hubs like Batam and Surabaya. Victims are sent to countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. The alleged complicity of some officials complicates eradication efforts.
In response, the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI), now a ministry, formed the "Sikat Sindikat" or "Wipe the Syndicate" Task Force in NTT in November 2023. Comprising 61 members from law enforcement and civil society, the task force aims to identify, prevent, and dismantle illegal migrant worker placement networks, with a focus on high-risk areas.
– Imam Hamdi contributed to the writing of this article