KP2MI Partners with Turkish Embassy to Optimise Formal Job Market in Turkey

The Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) is partnering with the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Ankara, Turkey, to optimise the formal job market in Turkey. Minister of P2MI Mukhtarudin stated that Turkey is one of the ministry’s strategic placement target countries, alongside Japan, South Korea, Germany, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, the European region, Taiwan, and the Maldives. The statement was made during a courtesy visit from KBRI Ankara officials to the KP2MI office in Jakarta on Wednesday. During the meeting, Mukhtarudin emphasised that the ministry is accelerating the ‘SMK Go Global’ programme as a quick win to increase the placement of skilled workers abroad. The strategic programme aims to gradually place skilled migrant workers into the international job market, starting with a target of 40,000 workers in 2026. This figure is projected to rise significantly to 140,000 placements per year in 2027 and 2028, eventually reaching a peak target of 180,000 placements in 2029. The implementation will be carried out in stages while closely monitoring global geopolitical conditions. Mukhtarudin assessed that Turkey has a significantly growing demand for labour, with golden opportunities in sectors such as hospitality and tourism, manufacturing, spa and wellness, and caregiving. According to data from the Computerised System for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (SISKOP2MI) for the period January 2025 to 6 July 2026, the ministry has facilitated 14,058 placement services to Turkey, making it the eighth-highest destination country. Currently, 7,596 migrant workers hold active contracts in Turkey. Despite the significant potential, challenges remain, with 208 complaint services and 264 return services recorded for problematic migrant workers due to failed departures, unilateral termination of employment, and deportation. In response, the minister asserted that supervision would be tightened from upstream to downstream, strengthening oversight of recruitment processes and agencies to ensure accurate information regarding jobs, wages, and facilities, with strict legal action against violators. Other strengthening measures include improving pre-departure preparation such as language, mental, physical, and cultural training, as well as evaluating seasonal work schemes to ensure contract durations provide optimal economic benefits. Given the absence of an Indonesian Labour Attaché in Turkey, the minister specifically requested full support from KBRI Ankara to oversee the placement process, job order verification, and legal protection. Both parties agreed on several points to strengthen bilateral cooperation, including accelerating the formation of a Joint Working Commission on Labour to expand job opportunities and enhance worker protection. They also committed to aligning the needs of Turkish industries, particularly in hospitality and manufacturing, by preparing competent Indonesian candidates through intensive collaboration between KP2MI, KBRI Ankara, and relevant stakeholders in Turkey to ensure clean, safe, and transparent placement governance. Indonesian Ambassador to Turkey Achmad Rizal Purnama welcomed the initiative and expressed readiness to fully support the government’s SMK Go Global programme. Based on the embassy’s assessments, demand for Indonesian migrant workers in Turkey has surged, with 31,000 workers requested last year and projections indicating a sharp increase to around 38,000 workers in 2026, predominantly in the formal sector. The ambassador noted that while Indonesia needs to place workers, Turkey’s need for professional labour to revive its economic sectors is even greater.