Indonesians Who Stay in Shelters for Migrant Workers Abroad to Get Covid-19 Jabs: Foreign Ministry

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will soon begin to undergo a Covid-19 vaccination program for the vulnerable Indonesian migrant workers abroad.

“Concerning the government-led vaccination program, this will also be provided for the vulnerable Indonesian migrant workers who are currently staying in shelters of the Indonesian diplomatic missions abroad,” said Andy Rachmianto, the ministry’s director general of Protocol and Consular, during a hearing with House Commission I overseeing defense, foreign affairs, information, and intelligence at the House of Representatives building in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 18.

Andy said the Indonesian citizens who stay temporarily in the shelters in Malaysia and Middle East countries will be prioritized to get the Covid-19 jabs. The administration’s Covid-19 vaccination program will follow the regulations and policies of the host countries.

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“We will give priority to Indonesian citizens in our shelters in Malaysia and also several Middle East countries to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the Indonesian diplomatic missions abroad,” he said.

Andy further added that as of now four out of 184 countries have done the vaccination program to the Indonesian citizens.

The Ministry through the Indonesian diplomatic missions abroad will also provide financial assistance to the citizens under certain condition, including vulnerable group, cannot pay for the vaccines, no other parties who can pay for the vaccines.

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“The policy in the host country will require foreign individuals to pay for their vaccines independently,” he said.

Besides, his office must continue to ensure that every Indonesian citizen abroad has access to vaccines following local regulations and policies.

“Surely, the main task of our missions abroad is to ensure that the Indonesian citizens get access to the Covid-19 vaccines,” he said.

(Writer: Rahel Narda Chaterine | Editor: Dani Prabowo)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/05/18/12233321/kemenlu-segera-mulai-vaksinasi-wni-kelompok-rentan-di-penampungan-luar.