Indonesia to Form Task Force to Probe into Slavery at Sea  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government plans to form a task force to resolve the human trafficking and slavery problems faced by Indonesian sailors on board Taiwanese-flagged vessels. The Manpower Ministry on Tuesday has held a coordinated meeting with Transportation Ministry and Police Criminal Investigation Unit to discuss the issue.

“It leads to the formation of a task force,” Manpower Ministry official Hery Sudarmanto said.

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Harry said that they discussed human trafficking problem as revealed by an investigation conducted by Tempo magazine January 8-15 edition. They have agreed to form a team to investigate into companies over allegations of illegal recruitment, supply and employment of Indonesian crew members. “We will pursue the offenders,” he said.

Hery noted that he had contacted Indonesian representatives in Taiwan to help with the investigation. “If we can prove the crime, we will ask for prosecution of such company,” he said.

The coordinator of Indonesian Illegal Fishing Eradication Task Force (Satgas 115) Mas Achmad Santosa said that the government will reinforce the implementation of Marine Affairs and Fishery Minister’s Regulation No. 42/2016 on Employment Agreement for Crew Members in Fishery Business on Indonesian labor supply to foreign vessels and fishery training courses.

The government is also planning a ministerial regulation on certification for crew members on fishing vessels. The regulation, which is expected to be issued end-January, will stipulate skill requirements for crew members before working overseas. “Slavery happens due to the crew members’ lack of skills and inability to speak foreign languages,” Achmad said.

AHMAD FAIZ | YOHANES PASKALIS | MITRA TARIGAN | NATALIA SANTI