Middle East Tensions Persist: The Fate of 20,784 Indonesian Migrant Workers
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), Mukhtarudin, has disclosed that thousands of migrant workers or Indonesian labourers (TKI) are still present in several Middle Eastern countries, amidst the escalating Middle East conflict due to the Iran versus United States (US)-Israel war.
Mukhtarudin stated that there are around 20,784 migrant workers in several Middle Eastern countries, particularly in Western Asia.
“There are 20,784 active contracts for our migrant workers in the professional border sector. From 2023 until 30 March 2026. So there are approximately 20,000 active contracts, meaning people are there,” said Mukhtarudin during a working meeting (raker) with Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) on Wednesday (8/4/2026).
His side has prepared mitigation measures if the conflict worsens, one of which is forming a Crisis Monitoring Team by the Directorate General of Protection.
“On a daily basis, we conduct monitoring and coordination with our representatives abroad, especially in countries currently in conflict and surrounding conflict areas. We also take protection mitigation steps, one of which is forming the Crisis Monitoring Team by the Directorate General of Protection,” Mukhtarudin continued.
In addition, his side will consider temporarily halting the deployment of migrant workers to conflict-affected areas.
“We also carry out mitigation, so areas that are highly prone to conflict and have the potential for escalating conflict, we will cool down placements,” he explained.
The P2MI Ministry will also check Indonesian Migrant Worker Placement Companies (P3MI), including companies dispatching migrant workers to those regions.
“We are also conducting data collection on P3MI, dispatching companies, that place workers in 20 Middle Eastern areas to obtain information on challenges faced by Indonesian migrant workers related to the situation there,” he said.
His side stated that the majority of migrant workers in the conflict-affected areas are experiencing psychological impacts. They are said to be traumatised by hearing bomb explosions and missiles on a daily basis.
“They are experiencing trauma; this psychological impact is felt because they hear bombs and missiles daily, which somewhat disrupts their days. And we have prepared online psychological consultations as needed. And this is already underway,” he clarified.
Mukhtarudin explained that there were 86 complaints from Indonesian migrant workers near the Iran border in the period from 1 March to 7 April 2026. The migrant workers are spread across areas in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“In the period from 1 March to 7 April, there were 86 complaints from Indonesian migrant workers near the Iran border. Dominated by Indonesian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia with 141 people, Turkey 18 people, and the United Arab Emirates 11 people,” he concluded.