Viral plea prompts Dedi Mulyadi to promise repatriation and legal action for unpaid wages
Sixty-three workers from West Java claim they were left unpaid, evicted from company housing, and stranded in Batam, sparking a rapid response from West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi after a video appeal went viral on social media.
Viral Plea for Help
The case surfaced when a worker named Chandra posted a TikTok video pleading for protection from Governor Dedi Mulyadi. In the video, he alleged that 63 workers were exploited by their employer, denied more than a month’s wages, and forced out of their accommodations.
Governor’s Immediate Response
Within hours, Dedi promised to facilitate their return home, prioritising safety while also exploring legal options to recover unpaid wages. “We will handle this immediately. You will return to your families,” he assured in a statement on 12 August 2025.
Eviction Without Pay
The workers said they were told to leave their company-provided mess housing without receiving any salary. “I worked hard, but my wages weren’t paid. Then I was told to leave immediately,” Chandra said in his appeal.
Complicated Jurisdiction Issues
Kepri’s Manpower and Transmigration Office head, Dicky Wijaya, confirmed awareness of the case but said the workers were subcontracted by firms outside Batam and not officially registered locally. Without proper documentation, the office could not offer legal protection, leaving the workers in a vulnerable “illegal” status.
Broader Labour Oversight Challenges
Dicky noted that unregistered migrant labour remains a major challenge for enforcement agencies. Workers entering without following formal procedures are more likely to face exploitation, lack of legal recourse, and absence of basic labour rights.
The plight of the 63 West Java workers highlights systemic vulnerabilities in Indonesia’s inter-regional labour practices. While Dedi Mulyadi’s intervention offers hope for their return, the case underscores the urgent need for stronger oversight and protection for unregistered migrant workers.
Sources: RMOL Jabar (2025) , Go Kepri (2025)
Keywords: West Java Workers Batam, Unpaid Wages Indonesia, Governor Dedi Mulyadi, Migrant Labour Exploitation, Labour Rights Indonesia, Batam Worker Eviction
