211 Indonesian Migrant Workers Repatriated from Saudi Arabia

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id – A group of 211 Indonesian migrant workers who violated immigration regulations in Saudi Arabia have been repatriated. They arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, in the early hours of Sunday, January 12, 2025.

Despite government regulations, cases of undocumented migration persist, often facilitated by illegal brokers. These situations leave workers vulnerable to legal issues and detention in foreign countries, prompting repatriation efforts by the Indonesian government. 

Deputy Minister of Migrant Workers Protection Dzulfikar Ahmad Tawalla underscored the government’s dedication to protecting its citizens, while lamenting the persistence of such cases. “It’s troubling that this issue continues. Many of our citizens are still not receiving adequate information,” he said, as reported by Antara.

Dzulfikar expressed concern about Indonesians traveling to countries under a placement moratorium, including 19 Middle Eastern nations. He called on those enabling illegal placements to stop their activities. “We hope these incidents will no longer occur. Irresponsible actions like these only lead to unnecessary suffering,” he added.

Judha Nugraha, director of citizen protection at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that the repatriated workers had violated Saudi Arabia’s immigration laws. Most were undocumented migrants or individuals who had overstayed their visas. They had been detained at the Shumaisi immigration detention center in Saudi Arabia before being returned to Indonesia.

Judha emphasized the importance of adhering to proper legal procedures when seeking employment abroad, as outlined in Indonesia’s Law No. 18 of 2017 on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers. “We urge our citizens to follow the proper channels. Once abroad, they must comply with local laws, including immigration regulations,” he said.

The government continues to stress its commitment to protecting Indonesian workers while raising awareness about the risks of undocumented migration. Officials hope that stricter compliance with legal processes will prevent similar cases in the future.