“I’ve been staying for 3 months here in Miri, Serawak, with monthly paycut Rm.200 for one year duration. I have only passport with 30 days visit visa which seized by my employer. My salary is not as much stated in my contract. Am I illegal worker? I really wish to go home but I have no money. Please help me.”

That was a text message which sent by Dudi Junaedi (27), Indonesian migrant worker from Cibeurih village, sub district Tegal Waru, Purwakarta, West Java (11/9/2011). 3 days after, Dudi called to one Indonesian Migrant Workers Resource Centre activist and calls for help so that he would be returned to his hometown.

Junaedi, along with 4 of his friends, were accept job offer from Headman of Sukamaju village, Sukatani, Purwakarta to Malaysia. Headman’s words were too tempting to resist, he said Junaedi will be legally hired and paid with high salary.

Junaedi sent to a company agent which owned by M. Abdul Karim in Jakarta which sent him away to Malaysia for work with no sufficient legal document. He was about to believe that he had through on legal procedure, until he started to research through media, he came to noticed that he’s an illegal migrant in Malaysia.

In Malaysia, Junaedi work for an aluminium and glass company named Xin Luong in Miri Serawak. Salary which he receives is not the same with the amount which previously agreed. His salary also waived 200 RM by his company agent, thus he doesn’t have much to save, aside of some amount for his own living in Malaysia.

Illegal migrants in Malaysia have a weak bargaining position since they own no protection from the government. Their lives lies on employer’s hands. Most common case is the seizure of workers passport in order to avoid workers to runaway. They also have to obey what employers ask, or they will be reported to Malaysian police authority.

In order to live, Junaedi must survive his work, despite his sober salary. He wants to go back to Indonesia. He afraid to be caught by Malaysian police and being jailed since he own no legal document and money to go back home.

“I am afraid to go anywhere, I don’t wanna get caught by police. I wanna go home, but I have no money. Please return me home,”said Junaedi through a call.