Menko PM urges prospective migrant workers to use legal channels for protection

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, has urged prospective Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) to utilise official, legal, and procedural channels to ensure protection and increase their chances of success while working in destination countries.

“Understand the protection system from the moment you prepare to depart. Do not be deceived, from the preparation and training stages until your return to the homeland, within a single, well-protected placement system. Those of you who are going to work abroad must truly understand the fundamental requirements, which are: official, procedural, and possessing adequate skills,” said Coordinating Minister Muhaimin Iskandar in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.

The government is currently building an integrated ecosystem for global talent placement, ranging from education, skills training, and financing to the protection of migrant workers.

At present, the President of the Republic of Indonesia is providing full support for the global talent preparation programme for high school (SMA) and vocational school (SMK) graduates interested in working abroad.

The programme, initiated by the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment through the Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), includes capacity building, skills training tailored to global labour market needs, and various financing schemes to facilitate prospective migrant workers.

To support this programme, the government is preparing a significant budget. This year, it is estimated that more than Rp3 trillion will be utilised for global talent development.

Furthermore, the government has prepared support amounting to up to Rp30 trillion through to 2029.

Nevertheless, Coordinating Minister Muhaimin Iskandar emphasised that the vast opportunities for work abroad must be accompanied by compliance with applicable procedures. He reminded that there are still many cases of migrant workers facing issues because they depart illegally without adequate preparation.

“We do not want any more migrant workers departing without following the correct procedures. Many victims occur because they depart illegally, thus failing to receive the protection, services, or assistance they deserve,” he said.