KP2MI and BAZNAS Build Welfare Ecosystem for Migrant Workers
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) has partnered with the National Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) to expand the ecosystem of protection and empowerment for Indonesian migrant workers through zakat management, financing assistance, and scholarships for migrant workers’ families.
The cooperation is a follow-up to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two institutions covering the strengthening of empowerment schemes, departure financing assistance, and the establishment of Zakat Collection Units (UPZ) for migrant worker communities abroad.
According to a press release from the ministry on Wednesday, Minister of Migrant Worker Protection Mukhtarudin said the synergy is expected to expand financing access for prospective migrant workers beyond the People’s Business Credit (KUR) Placement scheme and cooperatives.
“We want to explore our joint potential. Through appropriate mentoring and empowerment, we hope that migrant workers who may currently still fall into the mustahik category (zakat recipients) can, once they succeed abroad, transform into muzakki (zakat payers),” said Mukhtarudin.
According to him, the collaboration with BAZNAS focuses not only on emergency assistance but also on building long-term welfare foundations for migrant workers and their families.
“Through this strategic collaboration with BAZNAS, we are not only providing emergency assistance or entrepreneurial empowerment, but also building the future foundations of migrant workers’ families through access to scholarship education, financial literacy, and facilities for establishing Zakat Collection Units (UPZ) abroad,” he said.
Mukhtarudin added that KP2MI is also preparing a Zakat Literacy Digital Pocket Book and strengthening data integration so that assistance and empowerment programmes can be better targeted.
“This synergy is a manifestation of the state’s full presence to serve, protect, and sustainably improve the welfare of Indonesian migrant workers and their families,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of BAZNAS RI Sodik Mudjahid said the strengthening of cooperation would focus on optimising the management of zakat, infak, and sedekah (ZIS) for Indonesian migrant workers.
“This meeting reinforces the existing MoU. There are two major areas of focus. First, cooperative support in the mobilisation, management, and utilisation of ZIS funds with Indonesian migrant workers as a specific target group. Second, comprehensive technical support for migrant workers,” said Sodik.
He explained that this support encompasses financing and preparation of prospective migrant workers before departure, the establishment of community-based UPZ whilst working abroad, and educational scholarships and economic training for the families left behind.
“The synergy between KP2MI and BAZNAS is an important milestone in delivering holistic and equitable protection for Indonesian migrant workers,” Sodik concluded.