Indonesia repatriates 23 Myanmar crew

13 January 2016
Indonesia repatriates 23 Myanmar crew
Myanmar fishing industry workers alleged to have been working under slave labor conditions arrive back to Myanmar from Indonesia, at Yangon International airport, Yangon, Myanmar, 14 May 2015. Photo: Nyein Chan Naing/EPA

The Indonesian government has repatriated 23 Myanmar citizens who were enslaved as crew on a Thai-owned fishing vessel, after the victims had settled their cases with fishing companies, the Jakarta Post reported on 12 January.
Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said that of the total of 103 enslaved crew members, 73 have had their claims and salaries paid out by the fishing company, leaving 30 people still to undergo the process. Those waiting are currently taking shelter in Ambon, Maluku.
The next repatriation group, would leave on Jan. 12, with 14 people. The other 24 persons are yet to receive their certificates of identity from the Myanmar government, which is still running a citizenship verification process, the report said quoting the Fisheries Minister.