KP2MI Signs MoU with Banten, Untirta Alumni, and Krakatau Steel to Boost Migrant Worker Capacity

Minister of Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection (P2MI) Mukhtarudin signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Banten Provincial Government, the Alumni Association of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University (IKA Untirta), and PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) in Jakarta on Thursday. The agreement is designed to strengthen the ecosystem for enhancing the capacity and protection of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI).

Mukhtarudin stated that the collaboration with the Banten Provincial Government focuses on strengthening protection for migrant workers from upstream to downstream. Meanwhile, the partnership with PT Krakatau Steel follows up on a previous MoU involving state-owned enterprises and the Ministry of Investment, specifically aimed at upgrading the skills of migrant workers to become competent skilled workers for the formal sector.

“This is in line with the President’s directive to strengthen protection and enhance the capacity of migrant workers to enter the global arena, especially as skilled workers for the formal sector,” Mukhtarudin said. The cooperation with IKA Untirta will also focus on capacity building for prospective migrant workers and educational outreach regarding safe migration.

Mukhtarudin described the initiative as a collaboration between the central government, regional government, university alumni, and the real sector. He expressed hope that the partnership would further strengthen collaboration with all stakeholders to improve the capacity of Indonesian migrant workers.

The cooperation supports the implementation of the SMK Go Global programme initiated by President Prabowo Subianto, which aims to place 40,000 workers in 2026, 140,000 in 2027 and 2029, and 180,000 in 2028. “So from 2026 to 2029, we are preparing a total of approximately 500,000 people to have competencies that meet global needs,” Mukhtarudin said.

Banten Governor Andra Soni remarked that the capacity-building programme would have a tremendous impact if managed properly and expressed hope that it would support the SMK Go Global target of placing 500,000 migrant workers abroad. IKA Untirta Chairman Lamhot Sinaga voiced support for the ministry’s programmes and hoped the cooperation would reduce non-procedural placements, thereby protecting workers from potential exploitation overseas.

Krakatau Steel President Director Akbar Djohan committed to providing training and preparation for prospective migrant workers so they would be confident and competitive when entering the global labour market. “We hope our migrant workers going abroad will have greater self-confidence, so their bargaining position with foreign governments will be more equal,” he said.