Human Trafficking Allegations: 1,000 Indonesian Students Exploited as ‘Ferienjob’ Laborers in Germany
A police investigation has discovered that 1,047 Indonesian students in Germany were exploited as manual laborers under ‘ferienjob’ programs instead of receiving proper internships. This exploitation was facilitated by three labor agencies and involved partnerships with multiple universities in Indonesia. Two universities, UNJ and UAJ, have since terminated their programs and repatriated students amid growing concerns over human trafficking.
A recent police investigation by the Indonesian National Police has uncovered a troubling case of human trafficking affecting over a thousand Indonesian students in Germany. It has been revealed that approximately 1,047 students, who supposedly participated in legitimate internships or ‘ferienjob’ programs, were actually exploited and forced into manual labor roles. Brigadier General Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro, the Director of General Crime within the Indonesian National Police Criminal Investigation Department, disclosed during a press conference in Jakarta that these students, primarily studying electrical engineering, were engaged in physically demanding jobs. “We received information that they were working as laborers, colloquially known as ‘kuli’ in Indonesia,” he stated. The issue came to light following concerns raised by the Indonesian Embassy in Germany, which reported incidents involving four students who sought help during their participation in the ‘ferienjob’ program. Following this, the police launched an investigation that uncovered that the program had been implemented through partnerships with 33 universities in Indonesia, facilitated by three labor agencies in Germany. The investigation has led to the identification of five suspects in connection with these human trafficking crimes. Among those implicated is ER, the director of a human resources agency identified as SHB. ER was reportedly instrumental in formalizing agreements between SHB and the State University of Jakarta (UNJ), enabling the recruitment and arrangement of employment for students in Germany. In response to these findings, UNJ has suspended its involvement in the program and has repatriated 93 students from Germany. Similarly, Atma Jaya Catholic University (UAJ) announced the cessation of its ‘ferienjob’ programs due to analogous allegations of human trafficking. They confirmed that 27 students had returned home safely and in good health, with UAJ Secretary Agustina Dwi Retno Nurcahyanti emphasizing that, “We conducted an internal investigation and thorough evaluation of the Ferienjob Germany program’s progress and ensured its immediate termination since the beginning of the year. All our students returned safely and that is what matters most.” The program which commenced in 2023 initially sent 27 students from various faculties at UAJ to Germany from October 1 until December 31. The findings from the evaluation prompted UAJ to discontinue the program due to substantial shortcomings in job placement, financial management, and a lack of adequate support services such as protective measures for work and health insurance.
The exploitation of Indonesian students in Germany, under the guise of ‘ferienjob’ programs, highlights serious issues of human trafficking and fraudulent practices in the international internship sector. ‘Ferienjob,’ a term denoting temporary work or internships during school holidays, has been misused by labor agencies to exploit students, leading to their involvement in unskilled labor rather than the educational opportunities that were promised. This situation illustrates the dangers students can face when seeking international work experience, particularly in unfamiliar environments where regulatory oversight may be limited. The Indonesian National Police’s involvement indicates a growing governmental recognition of these issues and the need for interventions to protect citizens abroad.
In conclusion, the investigations conducted by the Indonesian National Police have revealed severe ethical breaches in the recruitment of Indonesian students for labor in Germany, with a large number being victimized under the pretext of internships. The acknowledgment of these crimes by Indonesian universities has led to immediate responses including the suspension of programs and the safe repatriation of students. This case serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding student welfare and the critical need for stringent regulations governing international internships and employment opportunities.
Original Source: jakartaglobe.id
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