KP2MI Explores European Countries as Destinations for Indonesian Migrant Workers

Denpasar (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) is exploring European countries as destinations for Indonesian migrant workers (PMI). “There are many explorations, such as Turkey, then Italy, Germany, Slovakia, and several other Eastern European countries,” said Minister of P2MI Mukhtarudin in Denpasar on Thursday. Mukhtarudin, after the send-off of PMI from Bali to Bulgaria, stated that opportunities in European countries are opening up, particularly in nations facing an ageing population or an increase in the elderly demographic. “So they need nurses and caregivers to look after the elderly or infirm, including in hospitality. Hospitality, like in Bali, means PMI are not only in hotels but also on cruise ships,” he said. Meanwhile, the potential demand for PMI there is significant, so the government is currently striving to make Indonesian society more attractive amid competition from other countries also seeking to send migrant workers to Europe. The Minister of P2MI conveyed that what is being prepared now is the capability of prospective PMI, as the government wants to focus on formal and professional sector workers. For instance, recently KP2MI sent 300 skilled workers in the manufacturing sector to South Korea, and there are also those sent to Japan to work in their manufacturing industry. Due to the intense competition with other countries, KP2MI is encouraging prospective PMI to continuously improve their skills. “Because when we are experiencing a demographic bonus, other countries are facing population ageing, so this is one of our efforts to alleviate poverty, reduce unemployment, and improve welfare,” he added. What the government is preparing is the competence of prospective PMI, as current graduates from universities and vocational high schools (SMK) do not fully meet the needs of destination countries. Moreover, language skills often pose the biggest challenge, so assistance from training centres (LPK) is still needed. “Not all SMK graduates can immediately meet global competencies, including nursing competencies; not all Poltekkes graduates can be absorbed by destination countries, so further vocational training is required,” said the Minister of P2MI.