IRAQ -- GOI REQUESTS MORE HELP REGARDING WORKERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 002827 SIPDIS SIPDIS EAP, EAP/MTS, NEA/I, IM/ISO, G/TIP E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2017 TAGS: PREL SMIG ELAB IZ ID SUBJECT: IRAQ -- GOI REQUESTS MORE HELP REGARDING WORKERS REF: A) JAKARTA 2504 B) BAGHDAD 3087 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (b)(d). ¶1. (U) This is an Action Request -- Please see Para 6. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) has asked Labatt for USG assistance in helping 13 Indonesian maids depart Iraqi Kurdistan. DEPLU also thanked Embassy Baghdad for its assistance in gaining consular access to 72 Indonesians working in the Green Zone, but now is asking for our help in speeding up their return home. Action request contained below. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (C) A SUMMONS: Director of Overseas Indonesian Workers Protection Teguh Wardoyo on October 2 summoned Labatt to DEPLU. He requested USG assistance in returning 13 Indonesians home from Iraq. They were working in Iraqi Kurdistan, but have quit their jobs and are staying under the protection of an employment agency, "Bruska Group," Teguh told us, possibly in Arbil, Kurdistan. Teguh said the maids have contacted their families saying they want to come home because of "fear of rising conflict" in the area, but are afraid to travel overland. Teguh asked if the USG could facilitate the women's safe passage to Turkey--where Indonesian officials could meet them at the border--or to otherwise find a safe way for them to leave Iraq. ¶4. (SBU) Three of the women's names are: Elly Anita, Siti Juleha binti Sukiman, and Casinah binti Dulhasan. Teguh said contact phone numbers are: 964-750-736-0776; 947-504-754-954; 964-750-736-0776. (Note: Labatt tried these numbers but got no answer.) Teguh said the Indonesian Embassy in Amman is gathering more information from "Bruska Group," which has its office in Amman, and would provide us with more precise contact information. As of October 5, despite our requests, we still do not have that information. ¶5. (SBU) THANKS AND WE NEED MORE HELP: Teguh also asked for our help with speeding up the departure of the 72 Indonesians who completed their work in the Green Zone, housed in Villas 2 and 3 of the new Mission compound (see reftels). He thanked Baghdad Embassy for its assistance in assuring the workers' safety and in providing consular access. However, because of the type of air tickets they have, it is taking a long time to get them out of Baghdad, Teguh said, asking if we can help get them on flights more quickly. With Muslim holidays approaching, the ministry is anxious to get all Indonesians who want to come home back in time to celebrate Eid with their families. ¶6. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: If the USG can assist in any way regarding these DEPLU requests, we will provide the information to the GOI. We regret that the information is extremely sketchy and fully understand that it may not be actionable. END ACTION REQUEST. HEFFERN