Bappenas Chief: Protecting Migrant Workers is an Opportunity to Expand Indonesia's Market
Minister for National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Rachmat Pambudy has stated that the protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) should not be viewed solely as a labour issue, but also as a strategic opportunity to expand Indonesia’s market globally. Experience shows that Indonesian workers, including those in the unskilled labour sector, with their talents, are capable of changing the behaviour and culture of communities, including the middle class and younger generations in destination countries. They have begun to adopt the dietary habits of our workers, becoming familiar with menus such as gado-gado, karedok, pecel, and even Indonesian instant noodles. This is a very valuable asset for penetrating the international market.
To strengthen synergy in national development planning and the protection of PMIs, the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas and the Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers/Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Board (KP2MI/BP2MI) signed a memorandum of understanding. The scope of this cooperation includes policy synchronisation, the preparation of studies and policy recommendations, data and information exchange, support for strategic programmes, capacity building for human resources, and strengthening partnerships with various stakeholders.
On the same occasion, Minister Mukhtarudin and the Rector of Padjadjaran University (Unpad), Arief Sjamsulaksan Kartasasmita, also signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the synergy of PMI protection through the implementation of the Tridharma of Higher Education. This cooperation covers education and competency improvement, research and innovation, community service, and data and information exchange. The Head of Bappenas stated that these memoranda are part of efforts to strengthen cross-sector collaboration in supporting the protection of Indonesian migrant workers, from planning to implementation, supported by academics to reach the wider community. The government is encouraging the formation of a collaborative ecosystem involving the government, universities, and other stakeholders to support national development planning and strengthen the governance of PMI protection.