Government curbs illegal migrant worker placements through SMK Go Global programme

The Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) is working to prevent the illegal placement of Indonesian migrant workers through the SMK Go Global programme, which focuses on improving the capabilities and overseas job placement of young talent.

Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers Mukhtarudin said programme participants will receive free language training, technical training and skills certification, with costs covered by the state budget (APBN).

“It is hoped that with this government programme, the public will no longer need to use unofficial channels. God willing, this initiative will reduce the number of non-procedural migrant worker placements,” Mukhtarudin said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

To further reduce the number of illegal migrant worker departures, the ministry is also providing financing through the People’s Business Credit (KUR) scheme with a maximum ceiling of Rp100 million, a three-year tenor and an interest rate of 6 percent.

The funds can be used to cover job training costs or as capital to prepare for departure to the destination country. KP2MI is targeting to disburse Rp393.5 billion in KUR for migrant workers this year.

“It is hoped that the public will no longer use non-procedural channels, because the channels already exist, the mechanisms already exist, and the financing already exists as well,” Mukhtarudin said.

Beyond preventive efforts, he said the government is also implementing repressive measures to ensure no more people work abroad illegally.

He said these efforts include increasing cyber patrols and removing false information and fake news related to overseas job vacancies.

The ministry is also continuing to crack down on various agencies that carry out non-procedural worker placements and taking action against Indonesian Migrant Worker Placement Companies (P3MI) that violate placement regulations.

“We are carrying out all these efforts in order to reduce the number of non-procedural migrant worker placements, which we must continue to suppress, including the crime of human trafficking (TPPO),” Mukhtarudin added.