The Indonesian government is asking South Korea to launch a full investigation into the death of Ngadiman, a 39-year-old migrant worker from Cilacap, Central Java. He died in a workplace accident at a metal factory in South Korea.
Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), Abdul Kadir Karding, said on Sunday that the government is fully committed to following up on the case. “We will push for legal action in South Korea. The state is here and will not stay silent,” he said while speaking in Tangerang, Banten.
Ngadiman had gone to work in South Korea through the government-to-government job placement program last October. On June 25, while cleaning a conveyor machine at the factory, his arm was pulled in by the equipment, causing fatal injuries. He was rushed to a hospital in Cheongwon City but sadly passed away.
The Indonesian Embassy in Seoul has already contacted South Korean police and the employer, asking them to investigate the incident and check if safety procedures were ignored. “South Korean officials are now investigating the company. We will follow the legal process closely, especially to see if there was any negligence in work safety,” said Minister Karding.
The victim’s body arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Sunday afternoon. The government has promised to help with the funeral and ensure all rights stated in the employment contract are fulfilled.
In addition to that, the government has given the victim’s family Rp213 million (about US$13,000) in compensation through BPJS, Indonesia’s state social insurance agency. Minister Karding also said that scholarships will be given to Ngadiman’s two children.
This tragic case has raised concerns about the safety of Indonesian workers abroad and the need for strict monitoring of companies that employ foreign labour.