Antara News·Indonesia·Friday, October 30, 2026 at 02:39 PM UTC

KP2MI stops prospective migrants from joining mercenary ranks

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Katriana, Cindy Frishanti Octavia

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Ministry (KP2MI) stopped an East Java migrant worker candidate from departing after being recruited as a mercenary with promises of a Rp40 million monthly salary and a Rp400 million signing bonus.

In a statement released on Friday, KP2MI reported that officials from the P2MI Service Post at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport provided assistance and conducted an in-depth inquiry into the individual on October 30, following reports that he had independently decided to cancel his departure.

Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers Mukhtarudin urged the public to remain cautious regarding overseas job offers that promise high earnings without providing clear details about the nature of the work, the legitimacy of the recruiter, or the official placement procedures.

"Do not be easily swayed by overseas job offers that promise large salaries and fantastic bonuses. The public must verify the nature of the job, the legitimacy of the recruiter, and the placement procedures," Mukhtarudin stated.

According to the investigation, the individual discovered the vacancy through a pop-up advertisement on Instagram, which directed him to communicate with an overseas agency.

The agency promised a monthly salary of approximately Rp40 million, a contract-signing bonus of Rp400 million, and a one-year employment contract that could be extended.

The agency also pledged to cover all departure-related expenses, including accommodation, passport processing, and international flight tickets.

Furthermore, the individual was instructed to claim that he was a tourist if questioned by immigration officers at the airport.

Then, the individual ultimately decided to cancel his departure after the agency refused his request for an advance payment to be sent to his wife back home.

The refusal raised suspicions that the promises regarding salary payments and the fulfillment of employment rights would not be honored.

Upon receiving the information, officers from the P2MI Service Post at Soekarno-Hatta Airport approached the individual to provide support and gather details regarding the job offer and the recruitment process he had undergone.

Subsequently, the individual was directed to the Indonesian Migrant Worker Shelter to receive temporary accommodation, psychological recovery support, and formal registration before being repatriated to his home region.

Mukhtarudin emphasized that the ministry continues to strengthen efforts to prevent the non-procedural placement of Indonesian migrant workers, including taking action against suspected illegal recruitment that could endanger the public.

"The protection of Indonesian migrant workers begins well before their departure. Therefore, we urge the public to ensure that any job offers and placement processes are handled through official channels," he stated.

Individuals who encounter job openings abroad on social media that appear fraudulent or involve suspicious recruitment tactics are encouraged to report them via the complaint hotline at 08118080141, by selecting the 'Cybercrime Services' menu.

The ministry is also gathering information regarding the foreign agency involved and the parties who financed 'S's departure. The data will be shared with law enforcement and relevant authorities to investigate potential transnational illegal recruitment networks.

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