Minister shuts down TKI shelter

JAKARTA. Manpower Minister Muhammad Hanif Dhakiri revoked the permit of PT El Karim Makmur Sentosa, a private company supplying migrant workers (TKI), on Friday since the company had violated workers’ rights.

“After a thorough investigation and verification, we decided to revoke their permit. They have been proven to treat those who wish to become migrant workers inhumanely and their shelter does not meet the required standards,” Hanif said in Jakarta on Friday.

“This is part of our work to better protect migrant workers and enforce the law. We want to ensure there is a deterrent for suppliers so that we do not see similar cases in the future.”

On Nov. 5, Hanif called in to conduct an unannounced inspection of PT El Karim Makmur Sentosa. When he arrived, all access to the shelter was closed off.

There were no signs or boards that indicated the house was being used as a shelter for migrant workers and when he asked the housekeeper for permission to go inside, he was refused.

The minster grew impatient and climbed over the high fence, standing on a motorcycle seat to gain access, and made his way into the shelter.

Inside he found 43 migrant workers crammed into a living room with only one bathroom for them all to use. (Nurfika Osman)