Disnaker Cirebon facilitates return of missing Indonesian workers after disappearance in Saudi Arabia

CIREBON, SAUDI ARABIA, DESA HULUBANTENG, KECAMATAN PABUARAN, 4 OCTOBER 2026 —

Cirebon’s Disnaker Confirms Facilitation of 35-Year-Lost Indonesian Migrant Worker’s Return from Saudi Arabia

The development underscores the challenges of tracking long-lost migrant workers and the role of local and central government agencies in their repatriation. With Jaeni now under the care of Indonesia’s embassy in Saudi Arabia, her family—previously cut off for nearly four decades—has received direct confirmation of her whereabouts, marking a rare resolution to a decades-old disappearance.

Disnaker Cirebon Head Novi Hendrianto stated in a Sunday briefing that his office is coordinating with relevant parties to ensure Jaeni’s safe return to her hometown. According to the latest updates, the worker is currently being managed by the Indonesian embassy (KBRI) in Saudi Arabia, while her family has been notified directly. "The latest information confirms Jaeni is with KBRI, and her family has received direct updates from the embassy," Novi said.

The local government’s Satuan Tugas Pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia (P2MI)—comprising Disnaker, police, health officials, and other relevant agencies—will assist in her repatriation, addressing her needs throughout the process. Novi clarified that while local authorities handle the logistical return from the point of departure to the worker’s home, central government and the Foreign Ministry manage cases in host countries.

Disnaker, however, remains the first point of contact for families reporting issues abroad, channeling concerns through the Pusat Pelayanan Migran Indonesia (P4MI) and Layanan Terpadu Satu Atap (LTSA).

Novi emphasized that officially documented workers—whose departure records exist—are easier to trace in emergencies. Jaeni, who left for Saudi Arabia in 1991 as a domestic assistant, maintained contact with her family for roughly three years before vanishing in 1994. Her reappearance was triggered when a woman matching her description sought the embassy, with identifying features aligning with Jaeni’s family in Desa Hulubanteng.

The case highlights the persistent gaps in tracking migrant workers, particularly those who disappear without formal records. While Novi’s office stressed the importance of official documentation, the incident also reflects the ad-hoc efforts required to resolve long-standing labor migration crises. The next critical step is Jaeni’s medical and administrative clearance before her return flight, with Disnaker standing by to assist her reintegration.

Related: Novi Hendrianto