The Indonesian Government has awarded Thamkeen the Hassan Wirajuda Citizen Protection Award (HWPA) 2020 for its outstanding work in protecting Indonesian workers in Jordan.

Since 2009 Thamkeen has been working closely with the Indonesian Embassy in Amman in providing advocacy and assistances to more than 800 Indonesian migrant workers who are facing abuses and mistreatment.  The most common include physical and sexual abuse, payment of less than the minimum wage, witholding and non-payment of wages, and withholding passports. 

In addition, working with relevant institutions and and communities in Jordan, Thamkeen has also provided legal assistances and supports for Indonesian citizens who become the victim of human-traficking in Jordan.

the Indonesian Embassy Ad-interim Chief of Mission, Mr. Adriansyah, on behalf of the Indonesian government handed over the HWPA 2020 award to Mrs. Linda Alkalahsh, the Director of Thamkeen at the Indonesian embassy  (18/12).

"On behalf of the Indonesian government, I 'd like to extend our appreciation to Thamkeen for its relentless effort in supporting the works of Embassy to provide protection to our citizens in Amman" said Adriansyah. 

"Citizen protection has been one of embassy's main priorities, and we are looking forward to have a stronger cooperation with Thamkeen, including with other stakeholders, regarding this issue" he concluded. 

The HWPA is an annual award that has been conducted since 2015.  The name "Hassan Wirajuda” is chosen for the former foreign minister’s role as initiator and pioneer of the citizen protection and Indonesian Legal Entity mainstreaming abroad. He introduced the concept of Citizen Service and formed a special unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs body to be responsible for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens and BHI Services abroad.

The HWPA awardees are not limited to Indonesian citizens, but also foreign citizens that work for Indonesian Missions abroad.

During the Ceremony of HWPA 2020 Friday evening Jakarta time, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry announced the winner of HWPA 2020 that comprised of 23 awardees from 8 different categories, which include Head of Missions, Diplomatic staffs, NGOs, diaspora, embassies, and local governments.

Thamkeen was the only NGOs to receive the award for this year.