Ordered by Prabowo to Protect Migrant Workers, Here is the Minister of P2MI's Strategy

The Ministry of Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection (P2MI) has launched the National Safe Migrant Movement as a form of government responsibility to protect migrant workers. Minister of P2MI, Mukhtarudin, stated that this national movement represents the government’s commitment to providing continuous protection for Indonesian migrants, including those intending to work abroad, those currently working overseas, and those returning to Indonesia.

‘In accordance with the instructions from President Prabowo Subianto to our Ministry, we are to increase the quality of protection for migrant workers—before they work, during their employment, and after they return—as well as to optimise the placement of medium and high-skilled Indonesian migrant workers,’ Mukhtarlyudin said in his speech on Monday (18/5/2026).

Furthermore, this national movement aims to protect prospective migrant workers from placement syndicates that frequently defraud Indonesian citizens. ‘This effort is also realised in our struggle to eradicate illegal syndicates involved in non-procedural migrant worker placement, which involve deceiving and defrauding the public, leading to exploitation and human trafficking,’ he continued.

Following the launch of this national movement, the Ministry will mobilise all parties, including regional offices and technical implementation units, to support the protection of Indonesian migrant workers. ‘From today, we will massively conduct activities across Indonesia, involving all our regional offices, technical implementation units, local governments, organisations, and all strategic partners of KP2MI to implement the National Safe Migrant Movement,’ he explained.

Mukhtarudin revealed that there are numerous challenges in protecting Indonesian migrant workers, making this a critical priority for the government. The Ministry of P2MI noted that from January to April 2026, 1,353 prospective migrant workers were successfully prevented from illegal departures at various points.

‘From January to April 2026, the Ministry of P2MI successfully prevented the illegal departure of 1,353 prospective migrant workers at various border points. We have also successfully addressed digital threats by taking down 4,213 pieces of harmful content, and we have handled 1,173 complaints from Indonesian migrant workers in various countries. This reflects the magnitude of the challenges we must still face together,’ he said.

Consequently, the Ministry will collaborate with several other ministries, such as the Ministry of Immigration, the Ministry of Manpower, the TNI (National Armed Forces), the Police, and legal ministries to implement the National Safe Migrant Movement, ensuring that migrant workers receive certain protection. ‘We will collaborate with several ministries and agencies to help protect our migrant workers,’ he clarified.