KUALA LUMPUR - The Indonesian Economic and Trade Office (KDEI) in Taipei is strengthening cooperation with Taiwan authorities to improve protection for Indonesia citizens and migrant workers.

KDEI Taipei held talks with Taiwan’s Workforce Development Agency to discuss recruitment costs and better protection for Indonesian migrant workers in Taiwan.

Head of KDEI Taipei Arif Sulistiyo met WDA Director General Lydia Huang to discuss expanding the Special Placement Program to Taiwan (SP2T), job opportunities in the hospitality sector, and updates to the bilateral memorandum of understanding.

Both sides also reviewed the placement process and the cost structure beyond the official recruitment fees.

The WDA said it is studying the total cost of recruiting Indonesian workers so responsibilities between employers and workers can be clearly defined.

The agency also discussed opening new job opportunities in the hospitality sector due to growing demand for workers.

Taiwan plans to first offer these positions to former Indonesian hospitality trainees who had previously worked in Taiwan.

Officials said there are about 1,000 to 2,000 former Indonesian trainees who are wanted by their previous employers.

KDEI Taipei welcomed the plan and pledged support through cooperation with the Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers.

Both sides also discussed updating the memorandum of understanding on the placement and protection of Indonesian migrant workers in Taiwan.

KDEI Taipei also visited the Legal Aid Foundation to strengthen legal support for Indonesians involved in legal cases in Taiwan.

Arif Sulistiyo and the head of the citizen protection division met LAF chief executive officer Steven Chou and legal affairs director Fangchun Chu to discuss legal assistance.

KDEI praised the foundation for providing pro bono lawyers to Indonesians who qualify for free legal support.

Officials noted an increase in legal cases involving Indonesians, particularly those related to drugs and fraud.

The Legal Aid Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to continue offering legal services to Indonesians facing legal problems in Taiwan.

The foundation also said it is discussing with authorities the use of Indonesian-language forms in prisons so detainees can apply for pro bono lawyers.

It is also exploring the possibility of providing internet access on fishing vessels so migrant crew members can contact authorities if they need help.

Arif said KDEI Taipei continues to ensure the rights of Indonesians involved in legal cases are protected throughout the legal process.

He said the number of criminal and civil cases involving Indonesians has been rising, including drug offences, fraud, and money laundering schemes.

These cases often involve the misuse or lending of personal items such as ATM cards, bank books, or Alien Resident Certificates (ARC).

“Based on the assessment of KDEI Taipei, the involvement of Indonesian citizens in drug cases is generally unintentional. 

“In cases involving fishing crew members, they usually only follow instructions from their employer or the ship captain, do not know that the goods being transported are drugs, and face language barriers that prevent them from communicating properly.

“I urge all Indonesian citizens in Taiwan to maintain the good name of Indonesia, obey local laws and regulations, maintain public order, and not lend their identity documents (ARC, bank books, ATM cards) to anyone,” Arif said.

Arif also advised Indonesian fishing crew members to avoid moving any goods at sea if they do not know what is inside the package.

“Immediately contact KDEI if you are forced by the ship captain or employer to move such goods,” he added.