Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP2MI) foiled the attempt to send eight Indonesian migrant workers illegally, following a raid on a shelter in South Jakarta on Sunday (4/2/2024). Deputy Placement and Protection of the European and Middle Eastern Regions of BP2MI Inspector General  I Ketut Suardana revealed that eight prospective migrant workers were found in the Kalibata City Apartment before falling victim to human trafficking. "We found eight individuals in this Kalibata City Apartment, all of them are women, mothers. We prevented them from becoming victims of human trafficking to Saudi Arabia," he said. The operation was carried out after the BP3MI in West Java received a report from one of the families of the prospective workers who were about to be dispatched. "They were supposed to be sent to the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, as domestic workers. Six are from West Java, and two from Tangerang, all women, and we will repatriate them to their respective hometowns," Chief Suardana added. The prospective migrant workers had been sheltered for seven days in the apartment by a woman identified as D, who is suspected to be an illegal migrant worker recruiter for the Middle East. She has been taken to the South Jakarta Sub-regionalPolice for further investigation. According to BP2MI data, from 2020 to December 2023, there were 110,641 migrant workers facing obstacles who were deported and assisted in their return by the agency. In addition, 2,597 PMIs passed away, and their remains were handled for repatriation, while 3,672 were sent back due to illness. (mg/fa/pr/nm)