Minister Sees Indonesia-India Ties Opening New Job Opportunities

Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers Mukhtarudin has expressed hope that the close relationship between Indonesia and India will open up new employment opportunities for Indonesian citizens seeking to work abroad. “We at the Ministry of P2MI fully support President Prabowo’s decision,” Mukhtarudin said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday. His remarks followed President Prabowo Subianto’s awarding of the Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna, the nation’s highest civilian honour, to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Merdeka Palace on Tuesday. Mukhtarudin stated his full support for the President’s move, describing the award as a highly strategic and appropriate diplomatic step. He assessed that PM Modi’s leadership has not only succeeded in strengthening bilateral relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership but has also opened up wider space for collaboration, including in the employment and worker protection sectors. “This award is a symbol of the highest appreciation for PM Modi’s commitment to building strong relations with Indonesia. This synergy serves as a solid foundation for strengthening cooperation across various lines, including opportunities to reinforce governance and the protection of migrant workers,” Mukhtarudin said. He also appreciated the historical aspect highlighted by President Prabowo, noting that a similar honour was previously bestowed upon India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. The Minister for P2MI stated that this continuity of good relations is a valuable asset for Indonesia on the international stage. Moreover, during this state visit, the two countries also agreed on several memoranda of understanding in the fields of health, technology, energy, and the strengthening of economic and investment cooperation. “This comprehensive cooperation, witnessed directly by the two leaders, opens up significant opportunities for technology transfer and improving the quality of Indonesia’s human resources,” Mukhtarudin added. He expressed hope that the positive relations between Indonesia and India will also have a beneficial impact on expanding the formal job market and enhancing protection for Indonesian workers globally.