BP2MI Investigates Migrant Workers Traffickers to Myanmar

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) stated that it was currently focusing on investigating traffickers, who illegally sent Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) to Myanmar.

"We are in the process of (investigating) the perpetrators because until now, we have not received complete information," Main Secretary of BP2MI Rinardi stated when met by ANTARA here on Monday.

Rinardi explained that it was challenging to catch the perpetrators since PMIs, suspected of being victims of the crime of trafficking in persons (TPPO) and being held in Myanmar, had left using tourist visas or Umrah visas.

This was especially when cases occur in the Southeast Asian region, where every citizen is free to visit other countries, as they only need a passport to be stamped by officers at each country's entry gate.

After successfully dispatching PMI illegally, the perpetrators are usually ready to welcome PMI arrivals at the airport or port to immediately take them to another country.

This makes it even more challenging to trace the whereabouts of the perpetrators.

"In terminology, people (who want to work) abroad are not allowed (without a visa)," he remarked.

"Hence, when they got there, there was already an agent to accommodate them. The workers are then transferred from one country to another, not knowing what work they will do in Myanmar,” he stated.

Since the network has spread widely across countries, there is also the possibility that the perpetrators are people close to the victims, such as family members or people, who have experienced something similar.

"Generally, the senders are usually (members of) their own family, so they have worked outside before. Then, as soon as they return to their villages, they generally tell one another that working abroad is good, so their families are interested," Rinardi revealed.

He emphasized the need for education regarding procedures for working abroad.

There is also a pressing need to conduct dissemination of information on a more massive scale to the public regarding the fraud modes used by perpetrators, especially in areas where PMIs live.

In many cases in Myanmar, PMIs are lured into getting high-paying work but instead become victims of online scamming, regardless of how high the level of education is of the victims.

Although several hostages have been rescued back to Indonesia, Rinardi appealed to all parties to not be tempted by offers from the mafia.

He also appealed to the workers to think carefully and obtain information on whether the destination country is one of the PMI placement countries, so that they are not stuck non-procedurally and are able to get the job of their choice.

"Do not look at their education because the responsibility lies with us. We cannot say (this incident) is the responsibility of society," he stated.

"We also have to take a position and introspect to what extent the government and BP2MI are responsible for carrying out massive outreach to the regions," he remarked.

ANTARA

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