Minister of P2MI Encourages Former Migrant Workers to Develop Businesses Domestically

Indonesian Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), Mukhtarudin, is encouraging former Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) to build and develop businesses when they return to the country. Mukhtarudin hopes that no former PMI will become unemployed. “They should not become unemployed. They must be able to develop themselves, they already have knowledge, experience, networks, capital,” said Mukhtarudin when met in Denpasar, Bali, on Thursday (2/4/2026). Mukhtarudin assured that migrant workers whose contracts have expired abroad and return to Indonesia will receive entrepreneurship training. According to him, the training is prepared for former PMI who meet the procedural requirements. “So, former migrants who want to join the training, we will train them,” he added. On that occasion, Mukhtarudin also visited the Namaste 21 outlet in the Padang Galak area, Denpasar. The traditional crafts business was pioneered by a former PMI named Novita Wesley Simanjuntak. Mukhtarudin appreciated the business developed by Novita. “This is one of our traditional artisans. I was interested in coming here because this lady was previously a migrant worker in Kuwait for nine years as a nurse,” said Mukhtarudin. Mukhtarudin stated that Novita is one of the PMI who has successfully developed a business to sell her products to the international market. According to him, the government has provided training and business permits so that Novita can develop the business. “Previously, she worked for others; now she employs people (has employees). Although not many, only six people, hopefully the business can grow,” he added. Meanwhile, Novita acknowledged the government’s role in providing guidance in starting her business. After stopping being a migrant worker, Novita was determined to build a business independently until she could create job opportunities. “We must be able to produce domestically, even we can be a blessing to our fellow brothers and sisters,” said Novita. It was not easy for Novita when starting the business from scratch. Nevertheless, she eventually learned many things from the process. Including production processes, financial management, to marketing.