TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) expressed its condolences to the Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) who were victims of a shipwreck in South Korean waters on Saturday, March 9.

In a press conference on Sunday, March 10, BP2MI chief Benny Rhamdani confirmed that seven Indonesian crew members (ABK) were on board the "2 Haesinho," which sank 68 kilometers south of Tongyeong City, South Korea.

He said two of the Indonesian workers were found dead. The South Korean Coast Guard or the Korean Coast Guard are still searching for the other five.

All of the migrant workers who were victims were in South Korea on a private-to-private contract through a recruitment agency to work in the country's fishing sector.

Coordination with the South Korean government

Benny confirmed that BP2MI will continue to coordinate with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the South Korean government to follow up on the case.

"As required by Law 18 of 2017 on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, BP2MI will not stop coordinating with the South Korean government and other relevant ministries and institutions to continue monitoring this case until it is resolved," Benny said.

Regarding the repatriation process of the victims, Benny explained that it will be carried out by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meanwhile, the repatriation to their hometown will be done by BP2MI.

To this end, he assured that synergy between ministries/institutions would continue to be carried out regarding the repatriation of PMIs who were victims to prove that the state is present for its citizens.

"We will continue to communicate intensively with relevant stakeholders to get the latest news about the five Indonesian citizens or other Indonesian migrant workers who are still in the search process," he stated.

ANTARA

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