CARE of IPB Conducts a Study of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia

Center for Conflict Resolution and Empowerment (CARE) Studies of Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) made a working visit to the Counsellor for Education and Culture (Atdikbud) of Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia (15/2). The visit led directly Head of CARE of LPPM-IPB, Prof. Dr. Sumardjo was welcome by Prof. Dr. Ari Purbayanto of Atditbuk, Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. In the discussions between CARE team and Prof. Ari Purbayanto, Prof Sumardjo communicate a study plan of the conflict mapping of Indonesian Migrant Workers (BMI) in Malaysia. Prof Sumardjo said that this mapping aims at identifying indications of conflicts faced by BMI in Malaysia, people involved in the conflict, typology of conflicts, as well as alternative solutions to conflicts of BMI in Malaysia.

Further, Prof Sumardjo also said that CARE plans to involve Universiti Kebangsaan of Malaysia (UKM) and the Community Mediation Center Putrajaya as an expert team to maximize the output of this agenda. "We hope that the Embassy can facilitate the plan of IPB Care to carry out the mapping of Indonesian labor conflict in Malayasia," said Prof. Sumardjo.

Atdikbud of Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Prof. Ari welcomed the CARE’s plans CARE. "As long as it can benefit the people of Indonesia in Malaysia, the Embassy will certainly support the plan," said Prof. Ari. On this occasion, he mentioned some social issues of Indonesian workers in Malaysia who work in the plantation and non-plantation sector legally and illegally. Some crucial issues, among others, are minimal skills of workers, inhumane treatment by their employers, extortion by the referring employment agency, neglected education of migrant workers’ children, and others. *** (Mtd)