Indonesia and Turkiye Discuss Strengthening Migrant Worker Protection
Jakarta (ANTARA) — Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), Mukhtarudin, discussed strengthening cooperation to protect Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) with the Minister of Labour and Social Security of the Republic of Türkiye, Vedat Işıkhan, at the P2MI Ministry office in Jakarta on Friday.
“This visit is a form of recognition of the existence and strategic role of the P2MI Ministry in managing the placement, protection and empowerment of Indonesian migrant workers,” Mukhtarudin said in a press statement from the P2MI Ministry.
He said the meeting was an important moment to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Türkiye, particularly in the fields of labour, migrant worker protection, and the development of a professional workforce.
Mukhtarudin noted that Indonesia and Türkiye share a common vision of building safe, orderly and mutually beneficial international labour mobility, while upholding the principles of decent work and respect for workers’ rights.
“Indonesia welcomes the Turkish Government’s attention to the importance of strengthening cooperation in the fields of labour, international professional labour mobility, and the protection of workers’ rights,” he said.
At the meeting, the two countries also discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation through the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on labour between the P2MI Ministry and the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
“We have already submitted the draft MoU. We are now awaiting a response from the Turkish Ministry of Labour regarding the timing of its signing,” Mukhtarudin added.
Beyond renewing cooperation, Mukhtarudin expressed hope that the meeting would further strengthen communication and coordination between the two ministries in supporting effective, safe and sustainable international labour mobility.
He believes the meeting represents a strategic step towards deepening bilateral Indonesia–Türkiye relations in the labour sector, while opening up broader opportunities for Indonesian migrant workers.
“We are confident that today’s meeting is an important moment to organise and develop bilateral relations in the field of labour between Indonesia and Türkiye. We hope future cooperation will be even better and more constructive for the interests of both countries,” he said.
He also conveyed plans for a return visit by the P2MI Ministry to Türkiye, as part of efforts to strengthen friendship and strategic cooperation between the two ministries.
Meanwhile, Turkish Minister of Labour and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan expressed optimism about strengthening labour cooperation between Indonesia and Türkiye.
“I am very happy to be in Indonesia, a friendly nation and a brotherly country. I would like to thank you for the warm welcome and hospitality shown to me and our delegation,” Vedat said.
Vedat noted that Indonesia holds a strategic position in international labour mobility. According to him, Indonesian migrant workers enjoy an excellent reputation in the eyes of the Turkish Government.
“Indonesians are known as honest workers with a high level of commitment to their jobs. These are the two qualities we always remember,” he said.
He said that in recent years there has been a significant increase in work permit applications from Indonesian citizens intending to work in Türkiye.
According to him, this trend reflects growing confidence in the quality of Indonesian labour, while also opening up opportunities to expand mutually beneficial labour cooperation between the two countries.