UNS – The Governor of Central Java Province, Ganjar Pranowo, requests Sociologist from the Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta be involved to resolve the problem of returning Indonesian migrant workers, who originally from Central Java and currently face uncertainty due to the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in various countries.
This request was expressed while he serves as a speaker in Nglaras Sosiologi #4 webinar entitles ‘Looking for Breakthrough Strategies for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers in the Middle of the Pandemic’ on Wednesday (10/6/2020).
In the webinar organized by Sociology Laboratory Master in Sociology Study Program, Faculty of Social Studies (FISIP), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Ganjar states that most of the migrant workers originated from Central Java have spread in three countries Taiwan, Hongkong, and Malaysia.
“For us, in Central Java case, the highest is in Taiwan with 20,363, Hongkong with 19,985, and Malaysia with 12,176. The percentage of the total number that has returned is 1,492 or 19.48%. A total of 296 employers have legal status, 371 individual employers or 24.87%, and ship’s crew of 817 with a percentage of 54.76%,” Ganjar explains.
Further, Ganjar explains that there are several reasons behind the return of migrant workers from Central Java, among other migrant workers who have died, sick, or have expired contracts. Based on this condition, Ganjar as the number one person in Central Java, states that his party through the Department of Manpower and Transmigration (Disnakertrans) Central Java keep on coordinating with several parties, especially with the Minister of External Affairs, Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia, and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to facilitate the settlement of problems.
In front of the participants who join the webinar through Zoom Cloud Meeting and Youtube live streaming, Ganjar mentions that the Provincial Government of Central Java has taken emergency measures, both against documented and undocumented migrant workers, by giving free tickets, bus facilities from Juanda Airport to Central Java, and repatriation of Indonesia migrant workers from Timor Leste who landed at Bandara Juanda. Moreover, upon arrival in Central Java, migrant workers are also examined for their health according to the Covid-19 preventive health protocol.
Before closing his presentation, Ganjar encourages the participants on COVID-19 handling and reminds UNS Sociologists to help the Local Government in settling the problems on the return of Central Java migrant workers.
“We must never give up; we must never succumb. What potential is, at least UNS should provide recommendation or you may help me in Central Java. Thus, next week I request a meet-up with the Sociologist from UNS,” he pleads.
During the webinar, several speakers are invited by the Sociology Laboratory Master in Sociology Study Program FISIP UNS, Aris Arif Mundayat (Head of Sociology Laboratory UNS), Wahyu Susilo (Executive Director of Migrant Care), Theopilus Suryadi (Lecturer of UNS Sociology Program), Jumatun (Initiator of Care for Migrant Workers Village), and Poniyah/ Jumiati (Former Indonesia Migrant Workers in Malaysia). Humas UNS/Yefta
