Social Affairs Minister Provides Entrepreneurship Training for Human Trafficking Victims

JAKARTA (12 June 2024) – Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini dialogs with 110 victims of Human Trafficking at Safe House and Trauma Center Bambu Apus, East Jakarta, on Tuesday (11/6). Risma listened to their complaints and difficulties as well as provided solutions so they could manage their life again. 216 victims of TPPO were repatriated from Malaysia to Indonesia, 88 of whom were repatriated to Kualanamu Medan, and 129 were repatriated to Jakarta. The victims were repatriated to Indonesia through the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“Don’t be fooled. Keep fighting, we will help you Mr/ Madam,” said Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini to the victims. The minister stated that Ministry of Social Affairs will provide entrepreneurship training according to their respective interest and help them to build their own business. The training will be done by the Nusantara Economic Heroes (PENA) Program at the MoSA Center.

“If you can be independent, you can go back to your hometown. And if you get your succeed, you can join the training here. We will help you,” said Risma while explaining various training available that the victims can join. Besides workshops and agriculture, there are also computer training, cooking, baking, sewing, etc. The participants will later receive entrepreneurship assistance to help them to be economically independent.

One of the victims of TPPO Esti Rosadiana (39) from Pangandaran, West Java was happy to meet with Social Minister Risma. Esti had worked as a female laborer (TKW) for a year in Malaysia, but received violence from her employer and the salary given was not as promised. Esti then ran away and asked for protection from the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, then returned to Indonesia. “I am very happy to meet the Minister. She gave me a lot of encouragement. I feel like I don't want to work abroad anymore. It's better to have a small business according to the Minister's advice,” said Esti in a steady tone.

After dialoguing with Social Affairs Minister Risma, the victims of human trafficking then underwent further assessment by several assessors from the Ministry of Social Affairs. “We assess one by one because the problems and needs faced by each victim are different,” said Rachmat Koesnadi, Director of Social Rehabilitation for Disaster Victims and Emergencies.

The victims of human trafficking handled by the Ministry of Social Affairs came from 14 provinces in Indonesia, including East Java 32 people, West Java (10), West Nusa Tenggara (9), Central Java (8), and others from North Sumatra, Aceh, Jambi, Lampung, Riau, Banten, East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, West Sumatra, and South Sumatra.