Negative COVID-19 Rapid Test Results, 51 Indonesian Migrant Workers Returned to the Ministry of Social Affairs

JAKARTA (April 16th 2020) - The Ministry of Social Affairs has just sent home 51 Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) who are at the Bambu Apus Protection House and Trauma Center (RPTC) Jakarta at 00.15 WIB and 07.00 WIB. This PMI was sent home after pocketing the Rapid Test results which showed negative COVID-19.

Today (16/4) PMI was escorted to Soekarno Hatta Airport by using a vehicle from the Ministry of Social Affairs to then continue the journey to their respective areas. The return phase I at 00.15 WIB for the goal of NTT was 1 PMI, the destination of Surabaya was 27 PMI and the destination of Lombok was 13 PMI. The second phase of returning home at 07.00 WIB to Surabaya was 11 PMIs. The total number of returning home today was 51 PMI. The returning home process was attended by the Head of the Sub-Directorate for Victims of Human Trafficking, Dian Bulan Sari.

Dian said that while on the trip, PMI must still comply with the regulations. "While traveling, you must still wear a mask and keep your distance," he said. Dian added hopefully that the PMI will have no intention of returning to work abroad. If you really want to work abroad, you must follow official government procedures.

Dian also conveyed the mandate from the Ministry of Social Affairs in the form of pocket money for traveling, each PMI received IDR 250 thousand. "The Ministry of Social Affairs provides a little provision for the trip. Maybe you can buy souvenirs for parents or buy toys for their children,” said Dian.

Previously, the PMIs from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia arrived at RPTC Bambu Apus on April 9, 2020 at 22.28 WIB. They were escorted from Soekarno Hatta Airport by using the Damri Bus, the mode of transportation that had cooperation in terms of PMI returning home.

The Director General of Social Rehabilitation, Harry Hikmat visited PMIs as well as having a dialogue with them on April 10, 2020. The Director General of Social Rehabilitation invited PMI to dialogue about their experiences while working in Malaysia and their experiences while in immigration detention. The Director General of Social Rehabilitation provided motivation for PMIs to undergo a quarantine period by following the applicable rules in RPTC Bambu Apus and also provided reinforcement so that they would go through all processes sincerely.

While at RPTC Bambu Apus, the PMIs have undergone a rehabilitation process. Rehabilitation services are in the form of advocacy for information on correct migration according to official government procedures, trauma healing and group therapy provided by social workers. In addition, the PMI also performed gymnastics and sunbathing every morning, then they were given socialization about human trafficking, victims of violence.

In addition, they have also carried out the COVID-19 Rapid Test which was held by the Ministry of Social Affairs on April 13, 2020. Based on the results of the Rapid Test, all PMIs were declared negative for COVID-19. PMIs were also given information on the prevention of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Starting from wearing masks, maintaining personal hygiene and health to government directives for physical distancing.

The Ministry of Social Affairs also conducted counseling on the importance of maintaining endurance to prevent exposure to COVID-19. This can be done by exercising regularly, eating a balanced nutritional diet and getting adequate rest.

Regulation of the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Permenko PMK) No.3 of 2016 concerning the Roadmap for the Return and Empowerment of problematic Indonesian Workers, the PMI returning home process is a collaboration between the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI), of course also coordinating with Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the Minister of Social Affairs Regulation No. 30 of 2017 concerning the returning home of Migrant Nationals of Human Trafficking from Malaysia to their Regions of Origin, states that the purpose of returning Indonesian KPO citizens is to return them to their areas of origin and reunite with their families, communities and social environment.