Let’s Save Hundreds of Abandoned Migrant Workers’ Children

Rasyid (9), Ismail (6), and Rayhan (4) are three of five siblings who face a life full of uncertainty after their mother, who worked illegally as a migrant worker in Malaysia, became paralyzed due to lupus. The family's life, once peaceful after marriage and having five children, changed drastically when their father had to stop working to care for their mother. As a result, they lost their only source of income and began to experience financial difficulties.

The situation worsened when the children were left neglected because their father had to focus on caring for their seriously ill mother. With the help of a caring doctor, their mother was transferred to a hospital, and the family was deported back to Indonesia with the assistance of the Indonesian Embassy and the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs. Upon arriving in Lombok, their mother passed away, and although they were initially taken in by relatives, the difficult economic conditions forced Rasyid, Ismail, and Rayhan to be separated from their other siblings. They were eventually referred to Peduli Anak to receive education, proper shelter, and healthcare.

Unfortunately, Rasyid, Ismail, and Rayhan are just three of hundreds of migrant workers' children who face a similar fate. The children of migrant workers are vulnerable to being neglected as their parents seek livelihoods in other countries but fail to provide support or even communication with their children. Comprehensive government action is needed to address the root causes of the migrant worker situation.

Moreover, Indonesia ranks second in Southeast Asia in terms of the number of migrant workers. According to data from Bank Indonesia and the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency, the number of Indonesian migrant workers in 2020 reached 3.19 million. The large number of migrant workers has created a domino effect, leading to other issues, including the abandonment of migrant workers' children.