Jakarta, IO – A footage of a number of Indonesian female migrant workers (TKW) recently circulated on social media, causing public uproar. They claimed they were held captive in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and pleaded President Joko Widodo and West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil to help repatriate them, reported CNN Indonesia, Tuesday (13/12).
They claimed they could no longer stand the treatment they received. They claimed they were being locked up and denied food. They said they hailed from Sumedang, Indramayu, Sukabumi, and Karawang.
Agus Bayu, the village secretary of Kahuripan, Lembang district, West Bandung regency confirmed that one of the women named Halimah is the resident of the village.
“We received a report that one of our residents is allegedly being held captive in Riyadh. From our visit to the address shown on her identity card and our communication with her family, we can confirm that the information is true,” said Agus.
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Agus said he was surprised because her family revealed that they did not know that Halimah had gone to Saudi Arabia to work until they heard the news. “They only knew that she went to work in Cicaheum,” said Agus.
Agus said he has coordinated with West Bandung Manpower and Transmigration Agency to help bring Halimah home. “We have sent a letter to the local government so they can help facilitate her,” said Agus. (un)