There are 178 Balinese migrant workers currently in Russia, an official said, as tensions escalate following the country’s devastating attack on Ukraine.
“Most of the 178 Balinese migrant workers in Russia work as spa therapists,” said Bali Migrant Workers Protection Agency head Wiam Satriawan, adding that all of the workers are employed in Russia legally.
Wiam revealed that Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still in contact with the Russian government to safely return those workers. Wiam added that he was informed that the Russian authorities were not transparent about the status of migrant workers there.
Furthermore, Wiam said that the agency is ready to assist the ministry should the migrant workers in Russia are ready to be repatriated.
Previously, 26 Balinese migrant workers were evacuated from Ukraine and arrived in Bali on Monday. They flew to the island from Jakarta on AirAsia Flight QZ-7518 after undergoing quarantine upon arrival at the capital city’s airport on March 3.
Read also: Balinese migrant workers arrive home from war-torn Ukraine
According to reports, there are two migrant workers in addition to the 26 that have returned home. They are still in quarantine in Jakarta and will fly to Bali after.
Most Indonesian migrant workers are women and they are generally the breadwinner of the family by working abroad and sending money back home.
