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Immigration detains six illegal migrant workers headed to Middle East
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Airport staffers check passengers' luggage at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Banten on Aug. 9. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
T
he Indonesian immigration office detained six suspected illegal migrant workers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Thursday while they were attempting to depart for the Middle East.
"They are using pilgrimage visas [to smuggle the people]," Soekarno-Hatta airport immigration office spokesman Agung Sampurno said, adding that aside from pilgrimage visas, many illegal workers were using umrah (minor haj) visa.
(Read also: Fahri Hamzah leads House team to discuss migrant worker issues in Hong Kong)
They initially planned to fly with Qatar Airways to Doha, Riyadh at 8.45 a.m., according to Agung. The six suspects are now in the custody of the airport's immigration office.
"Through this method, they will potentially become human trafficking victims and be vulnerable to exploitation. Hence, it will likely impact their safety when they are abroad," he added. (dan)
