Migrant Worker’s Fight Against Chronic Trauma

Turini kiosk at Siwalk Tourism Park, Setupatok, Cirebon, West Java, was deserted due to the pandemic. However, she tried to be strong, just like when she was traumatized in a foreign land.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Turini (48) with her husband, Samsudin (53), at her shop at Siwalk Tourism Park, Setupatok, Cirebon Regency, West Java, Tuesday (2/2/2021). Turini is a former Indonesian migrant worker in Saudi Arabia for 21 years and is unpaid.

The cloudy morning on Tuesday (2/2/2021) seemed to represent the sadness of Turini (48). Her kiosk at Siwalk Tourism Park, Setupatok, Cirebon, West Java, was deserted due to the pandemic. However, she tried to be strong, just like when she was traumatized in a foreign land.

Tears rolled down Turini\'s cheeks, washing the cosmetics from her face as she recalled her story as a migrant worker. "Had I known my fate would be this bad, how could I possibly go to Saudi Arabia," said the resident of Dawuan, Tengah Tani district, Cirebon.