Japan and Germany Need Workers, Coordinating Ministry Opens Access for Indonesian Talent

The Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment (Kemenko PM) will hold a Global Talent Day and Kebumen Job Fair & PMI Expo 2026 on 24-26 June 2026 in Kebumen Regency, Central Java. The event aims to expand access for Indonesian talent to international job opportunities through safe, legal, and skilled pathways. Taking place at the Kabumian Pendopo and the Kebumen Regency Secretariat Hall, the three-day event targets prospective Indonesian migrant workers (PMI), vocational high school students, university students, and members of the public seeking to enter the global labour market. Participants will receive information, training, and the chance to meet directly with job placement agencies.

Deputy for Economic Empowerment and Migrant Worker Protection at Kemenko PM, Leontinus Alpha Edison, stated that the government is not only encouraging overseas job placements but also ensuring workers possess adequate skills and protection. “We are not just sending people abroad. We are preparing them to go with skills, protection, and without worry. The opportunities are vast, and our duty as state administrators is to ensure the pathways are official and safe,” Leontinus said in a written statement on Tuesday (23/6/2026). He explained that international labour demand continues to rise, especially in countries facing ageing populations such as Japan and Germany. Opportunities are available across various sectors, including manufacturing, elderly care, hospitality, and agriculture.

However, according to Leontinus, many job opportunities remain underutilised. Furthermore, non-procedural placement practices still occur, underscoring the importance of education on safe migration and connecting prospective migrant workers with official channels. “Some opportunities have not been optimally absorbed, and non-procedural placement practices still happen. This reinforces the importance of safe migration education and linking prospective migrant workers to official pathways,” he said. He expressed hope that the model implemented in Kebumen could serve as an example for other regions in strengthening the protection of Indonesian migrant workers. “We hope that what we are doing in Kebumen can be replicated by other local governments, thereby further reducing the potential for migrant workers to be deceived by non-procedural and illegal routes,” Leontinus added.

During the event, participants can attend various workshops featuring speakers from the Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI), representatives from destination country embassies, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Indonesia, and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan. Additionally, open classes in Japanese, Korean, and German will be available, along with job canvassing and matchmaking sessions connecting prospective migrant workers with Indonesian Migrant Worker Placement Companies (P3MI), job training institutions, and test centres. The programme also supports the SMK Go Global agenda, which aims to expand opportunities for vocational education graduates to enter the international job market.

Kebumen was chosen as the host location because it is one of the migrant worker pockets in Central Java. According to data from the KP2MI’s Migrant Worker Placement Service Statistics, the number of PMI placements from Central Java reached 1,229,258 people, with 46,751 originating from Kebumen Regency. Kebumen Regent Lilis Nuryani welcomed the event, stating it could bring job opportunities and protection closer to the community. “Many residents of Kebumen in particular and Central Java in general migrate to work abroad, and we want to ensure they go safely, with skills, and protected,” Lilis said.