Indonesian Workers Eye Overseas Jobs: Minister Highlights 313,803 Openings and Protection Efforts
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Opportunities for Indonesian citizens to work abroad remain wide open, as the international labour market is still vast and has not been optimally tapped by Indonesian workers.
Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) Mukhtarudin presented data on the significant movement of Indonesian workers. Based on SISKOP2MI data from January 2025 to 12 June 2026, the ministry has nationally facilitated 433,169 placement services, with the top five destination countries being Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, and Singapore.
Despite the high placement figures, Mukhtarudin stressed that international job market opportunities are still extensive and underutilised. According to SIP2MI data as of 13 June 2026, there were 313,803 overseas job opportunities, but only 76,907, or 24.51%, had been filled.
“This means there are still 236,896 job opportunities (75.49%) wide open and waiting to be filled by competent Indonesian workers,” he said in a written statement on Friday (19/6/2026).
Mukhtarudin also highlighted Banten Province as a strategically positioned region. During the period up to 12 June 2026, placement services from Banten reached 5,542. This movement generates massive economic impact through remittances for the local area.
“If each migrant worker consistently sends an average of Rp5 million per month, this flow of funds creates an extraordinary multiplier effect, driving the local economy, energising village-level MSMEs, and increasing public purchasing power,” he explained.
However, behind this potential, Banten’s geographic location, surrounded by ports and airports, makes it highly vulnerable to non-procedural placements and human trafficking crimes (TPPO). The reality of this threat is evidenced by the performance of BP3MI Banten, which ranks first nationally in prevention intensity. From 1 January to 31 May 2026, BP3MI Banten carried out 297 prevention operations and successfully rescued 572 prospective Indonesian migrant workers from illegal departures.
“These figures are not just statistics; they represent lives and family futures that we have managed to protect,” he asserted.
To shield the public from illegal syndicates while optimising global job market potential, the cross-agency collaboration promotes four main protection visions: disseminating job opportunity information and safe migration awareness, enhancing human resource capacity through training, optimising integrated services from health checks to placement, and strengthening the post-placement economy of Indonesian migrant workers.
This macro synergy is immediately accelerated at the technical level through two strategic Cooperation Agreements governing upstream-to-downstream management. To ensure the programme reaches the grassroots, Mukhtarudin also encouraged the Banten regional government to accelerate the ‘Desa Migran Emas’ (Golden Migrant Village) programme, so that village administrations can truly serve as the frontline of protection and empowerment centres for returned migrant workers.
Furthermore, this collaboration aligns with the ‘SMK Go Global’ quick win programme run by the P2MI Ministry together with the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment. The programme targets the placement of 500,000 skilled workers by 2029 in strategic sectors such as caregiving, welding, hospitality, nursing, and truck driving, to strengthen Indonesia’s position as a global talent supplier.
Mukhtarudin stated that all these cooperation efforts lead to the concept of Brain Circulation.
“Indonesian talent is encouraged to work globally to absorb knowledge, technology, and the best work ethic. Afterwards, they return home to build productive businesses and contribute to the national economy,” he said.
He also reminded all parties that this agreement should not remain a mere formality on paper.
“Going forward, concrete action on the ground is the proof. Let us together present dignified governance and protection for these family economic heroes,” concluded Minister Mukhtarudin.