Indonesia and Portugal Strengthen Cooperation, Minister P2MI Prepares Special Agenda

Jakarta - Minister of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) Mukhtarudin received a visit from the Indonesian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Portugal, Susi Marleny Bachsin, at the Ministry of P2MI office in Jakarta on Tuesday, 4 August 2026. During the meeting, both parties discussed accelerating the completion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the placement and protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Portugal, while preparing a bilateral cooperation agenda targeted for completion and signing in October 2026. Ambassador Susi Marleny Bachsin expressed appreciation for the support and commitment of the Minister and the entire ministry in opening opportunities for safe, legal, and mutually beneficial migrant worker placement cooperation. Susi explained that the process of finalising the MoU text between the Ministry of P2MI and the Portuguese migration authority, AIMA, is now entering its final stage. Based on the latest communication with the President of AIMA, Portugal hopes the MoU signing can be realised in October 2026. As a step towards the signing, the Portuguese Government has proposed that a delegation from the Ministry of P2MI visit Lisbon in September 2026. The proposed agenda includes meetings with AIMA, a migrant worker placement cooperation forum, business matching between Portuguese company associations and official Indonesian placement agencies, and discussions on more concrete cooperation mechanisms. Responding to the presentation, Minister Mukhtarudin expressed support for the prepared stages, including the planned visit to Portugal before the MoU signing takes place in Indonesia. He noted that international interest in Indonesian workers continues to grow, with Portugal now showing seriousness in expanding cooperation. Mukhtarudin stated that although the current number of Indonesian migrant workers placed in Portugal is still relatively limited, the MoU signing is expected to open greater opportunities. He confirmed Indonesia’s readiness in terms of systems and placement infrastructure, including training facilities, vocational education institutions, and qualified placement companies. The Minister stressed that protection aspects remain the top priority in every cooperation agreement, ensuring workers receive fair wages, decent housing, good health insurance, and adequate social protection. Both countries hope the finalisation process will proceed on target, opening wider, professional, and protected opportunities for Indonesian migrant workers while strengthening bilateral relations in the employment sector.