Stories of Migrant Workers in Neighboring Countries

KOMPAS/ISMAIL ZAKARIA

Residents visited the Udin Basar Ward's house in Balen Along Hamlet, Kawo Village, Pujut District, Central Lombok, Friday (12/17/2021). Basarudin Bangsal was also a victim of the incident on a ship carrying prospective Indonesian migrant workers in the waters of Johor, Malaysia.

Amidst the roar of motorcycles on the Mandalika Circuit, thousands of residents of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) surreptitiously leave their hometowns to work overseas, but without the proper documentation.

They gamble their lives to work in neighboring countries for the dream of a prosperous life. Many of them survive, but not a few have returned home as corpses, like the migrant workers who were recently killed in a ship accident in Malaysian waters.

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The grave of Julia Ningsih (19) was the newest grave in a public cemetery in Dasan Borok village, Suralaga district, about 9 kilometers northeast of Selong, the capital of East Lombok Regency, NTB, when her relatives visited the cemetery on Friday (21/1/2022). Almost a month ago, Julia and the 1-week-old fetus she was carrying were buried there. Julia was killed when a boat carrying undocumented Indonesian migrant workers sank in the waters of Johor, Malaysia, in mid-December 2021.

“When I remember her, I always feel sad. I want to cry," said Supriani (46) while visiting Julia Ningsih's grave on Friday afternoon.

KOMPAS/ISMAIL ZAKARIA

Residents pass a house belonging to Udin Basar Ward in Balen Along Hamlet, Kawo Village, Pujut District, Central Lombok, Friday (12/17/2021). Bangsal also became a victim of the incident on a ship carrying prospective Indonesian migrant workers in the waters of Johor, Malaysia, some time ago.

With the money sent by their relatives in Malaysia, Julia and her husband, Junaidi (26), left for Batam, the Riau Islands, in early December 2021. In Batam, they stayed at a camp before taking a boat to Malaysia. The young couple left for the neighboring country on Tuesday (14/12) from one of the "rat ports" that are scattered across Bintan and Batam. Unfortunately, their boat carrying 62 other passengers capsized in the early hours of Wednesday.

Economic hardships

At least 14 NTB residents became victims in the accident. They had left their villages for the same reason: to have a better life. Because of the lack of jobs in their hometowns, they did not think twice when they were offered work in Malaysia with the promise of a big salary. They had to pawn their property, like rice fields, or borrow money from friends, and some even had to sell their remaining assets to pay for the trip to Malaysia.

Unfortunately, she is now gone, leaving behind a family and a bad record for the protection of Indonesian migrant workers.

If she could turn back time, Nurhayati (47), a resident of Sudimampir Lor village in Balongan district, Indramayu regency, West Java, would not have allowed her daughter, Ratna Erna Sari (20), to go to Malaysia. However, economic pressure forced Ratna to migrate without proper documentation. Unfortunately, she is now gone, leaving behind a family and a bad record for the protection of Indonesian migrant workers.

Nurhayati could not hold back her tears when she heard the news of Ratna's death on Friday (21/1). Her hands covered her face. "Don’t go, don’t go," said Nurhayati, recalling how she had persuaded Ratna not to go to Malaysia in early January.

KOMPAS/ISMAIL ZAKARIA

The Basaruddin Bangsal family cries in Balen Along Hamlet, Kawo Village, Pujut District, Central Lombok, Friday (17/12/2021). Basarudin was also a victim of the incident on a ship carrying prospective Indonesian migrant workers in the waters of Johor, Malaysia,

However, the elementary school graduate insisted on going, leaving debts with dizzying interest rates that she had borrowed from a loan shark. Her husband, Casmana, is a farm worker with a daily income of just Rp 40,000 (US$2.85). Milah, a neighbor in his village, had persuaded him.

Milah and Ratna also left for Batam on Sunday (9/1), and stayed a week at the camp with other prospective migrant workers. At 7 p.m. on Monday (17/1), they crossed from Terung Island in Riau Islands province to Johor.

The proverb, “Gains cannot be realized, misfortune cannot be denied” seems to be true. Around midnight, their boat was capsized by waves and sank. Seven people survived, but six others died.

How long will the sad stories of Indonesian migrant workers struggling to pursue their dreams for a prosperous life continue?

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi).