TRENGGALEK – An Indonesian migrant worker from Trenggalek, East Java, has received a lifetime entry ban from Taiwan after overstaying for eight years and working illegally outside her official contract.
The worker, Septya Tri Cahyani, comes from Sugihan village in Kampak district. She returned to Indonesia on May 5 after voluntarily surrendering to the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office (KDEI) in Taipei.
Officials said Septya first entered Taiwan through a legal recruitment program. She worked under an official contract during her early months in the country.
However, she left her registered employer after only nine months. She reportedly wanted to find work with higher salaries outside the formal system.
“She departed legally at first. But after around nine months, she left her original workplace to find independent work,” Sarkun from the Trenggalek Industry and Labor Agency said.
Her decision changed her immigration status to illegal under Taiwanese law. Authorities later removed her employment data from the official labor system because she failed to report her status for years.
“Because she did not report for more than three years, her data disappeared from the official labor system,” Sarkun explained.
Despite her illegal status, Septya continued working in Taiwan’s domestic sector for years. Officials also confirmed she was not a victim of human trafficking.
After living in Taiwan for eight years without legal status, Septya finally decided to return home. She reportedly wanted to start a new chapter in her life and prepare for her upcoming wedding in June.
To avoid harsher punishment, she voluntarily surrendered to Indonesian representatives in Taiwan. Her decision helped her avoid prison.
However, she still needed to pay administrative penalties and cover all travel costs herself. The total expense reportedly reached Rp 21 million, or about $1,300.
Taiwanese authorities also imposed strict sanctions on her case. The government permanently blacklisted her from reentering Taiwan in the future.
That sanction means Septya can no longer work or travel to Taiwan again.
Labor officials in Trenggalek used the case as a warning for other Indonesian migrant workers. They urged workers to follow immigration and labor rules while working overseas.
Officials also advised workers to return home first if they want to extend contracts or change employers legally.
The case highlights the serious risks migrant workers face when violating immigration rules abroad. Overstaying can lead to deportation, financial losses, and permanent employment bans from destination countries.