Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) who pick fruit in England admit to being in debt after being fired for not meeting work targets.
Migrant Care Executive Director Wahyu Susilo assessed that the case of seasonal workers in England is getting more complicated. Because, there are no concrete steps from the Indonesian government to resolve it.
“There has been no serious will in handling this by the Indonesian government since this case emerged 2 or 3 years ago,” said Wahyu when contacted by Media Indonesia, Sunday (8/9).
Migrant care also questions the case of seasonal workers in the G20. Indonesia as a sending country for seasonal workers with G20 countries, especially the UK as a receiving country.
“In this scheme, in Indonesia there is no supervision of the parties conducting recruitment, because many of the parties conducting recruitment are actually institutions that do not have the authority,” he said.
While pragmatism to find cheap labor in managing agriculture in England increases. Therefore, the negligence of this country is exploited by irresponsible individuals.
Also read: APJATI Highlights Regulations on Sending Experts and Professionals Abroad
“This condition is exploited by recruitment agencies, institutions that carry out recruitment practices that are not procedural. Worse still, there is no serious action by the government,” he stressed.
The Indonesian government should be stricter against agents or institutions proven to have committed violations in recruiting seasonal workers in the UK.
“What is happening now is that the negotiation process is being eliminated or the perpetrators are being criminalized. Even though their actions are already leading to human trafficking,” he said.
Wahyu emphasized that seasonal workers were lured by offers of high salaries abroad but were instead exploited.
“With the lure of high salaries, having to pay higher costs, to being in a debt trap, trapped in a debt scheme that causes them to be exploited there,” he concluded. (Z-2)
#Migrant #Care #Reveals #Seasonal #Worker #Situation #Worse
Table of Contents
The Plight of Indonesian Migrant Workers in the UK: A Complex Web of Debt and Exploitation
The story of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) who travel to the UK to pick fruit is one of debt, exploitation, and negligence. These workers, who are recruited by private agencies, often pay thousands of pounds to secure jobs that promise a better life. However, many of them end up in debt, struggling to meet work targets, and facing exploitation at the hands of unscrupulous recruitment agencies.
According to a recent report by The Guardian, hundreds of Indonesian farm workers were recruited to work in Britain this summer on seasonal worker visas, but many of them were sent home within weeks of arriving, leaving them in debt and with uncertain futures [[3]]. This is not an isolated incident, as Migrant Care, a non-governmental organization, has been highlighting the plight of Indonesian migrant workers in the UK for years.
The lack of concrete steps by the Indonesian government to address this issue has led to a complex web of debt and exploitation. Wahyu Susilo, Executive Director of Migrant Care, has lambasted the government for its negligence, stating that there has been no serious will to handle this issue since it emerged two to three years ago.
One of the main issues is the lack of supervision of recruitment agencies in Indonesia. Many of these agencies are institutions that do not have the authority to conduct recruitment, leading to unprocedural practices that leave workers vulnerable to exploitation. This lack of oversight has led to a situation where recruitment agencies are exploiting workers, promising them high-paying jobs, and charging them exorbitant fees.
Furthermore, the UK’s pragmatism in finding cheap labor for its agriculture sector has contributed to the problem. The demand for cheap labor has created an environment where unscrupulous agents and institutions can thrive, taking advantage of workers who are desperate for a better life.
The situation is further complicated by the G20 scheme, which allows Indonesia to send seasonal workers to countries like the UK. However, the lack of regulation and oversight in this scheme has led to a situation where workers are not protected, and recruitment agencies are free to exploit them.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has also highlighted the precariousness of Indonesian migrant workers in sea-based sectors, including those working on foreign-flagged vessels as fishers and seafarers [[2]]. This highlights the need for greater protection and regulation of migrant workers across all sectors.
The Indonesian government must take immediate action to address this issue. It must be stricter against agents or institutions proven to have committed violations, and ensure that recruitment agencies are held accountable for their actions. Moreover, the government must work with the UK government and other relevant stakeholders to create a more regulated and protected environment for migrant workers.
the plight of Indonesian migrant workers in the UK is a complex issue that requires immediate attention and action. It is a story of debt, exploitation, and negligence, and it is only by working together that we can create a better future for these workers.
References:
What are the main factors contributing to the exploitation of Indonesian migrant workers in the UK?
The Plight of Indonesian Migrant Workers in the UK: A Complex Web of Debt and Exploitation
The story of Indonesian migrant workers who travel to the UK to pick fruit is one of debt, exploitation, and negligence. These workers, who are recruited by private agencies, often pay thousands of pounds to secure jobs that promise a better life. However, many of them end up in debt, struggling to meet work targets, and facing exploitation at the hands of unscrupulous recruitment agencies.
According to a recent report by The Guardian, hundreds of Indonesian farm workers were recruited to work in Britain this summer on seasonal worker visas, but many of them were sent home within weeks of arriving, leaving them in debt and with uncertain futures [[3]]. This is not an isolated incident, as Migrant Care, a non-governmental organization, has been highlighting the plight of Indonesian migrant workers in the UK for years.
The lack of concrete steps by the Indonesian government to address this issue has led to