Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The government criticized irresponsible actions facilitating illegal migration in the case of the deportation of 211 undocumented migrant workers from Saudi Arabia who arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Airport early on Sunday (12/1/2025).

Most of the deported workers are from West Java, West Nusa Tenggara, Banten, and East Java.

“This remains a serious concern. Irresponsible parties must stop enabling illegal placements that harm our workers,” Minister of Migrant Worker Protection Dzulfikar Ahmad Tawalla said, as quoted by antaranews.com. 

He highlighted that many workers lacked proper documentation or overstayed in Saudi Arabia, violating local laws despite an ongoing moratorium on migrant worker placements to the country.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of Indonesian Citizens Protection Judha Nugraha explained that the deported Indonesian migrant workers were detained for immigration violations. 

“Most were undocumented and overstayed their permits. We collaborated with the Indonesian Consulate in Jeddah to facilitate their return and arrange travel documents,” he said.

Officials urged greater public awareness about safe migration and compliance with host country laws, emphasizing that migration must follow  Law No. 18 of 2017 on the protection of Indonesian migrant workers. 

(mg/inp/pr/nm)