South Korea's Economic Slowdown Curbs Demand for Indonesian Migrant Workers
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), Christina Aryani, said opportunities for placing Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) in South Korea are limited given the economic conditions in that country.
“The economic slowdown in South Korea affects opportunities for placing Indonesian migrant workers in Gyeongnam,” the Deputy Minister said in a press release from the Ministry of P2MI in Jakarta on Monday.
At a meeting with the Head of the Gyeongnam Provincial Representative Office, Hwang Geuk Jae, in Jakarta on Monday, it was conveyed that South Korea’s economic slowdown has put pressure on demand for Indonesian migrant workers, particularly in Gyeongnam Province, which has long been one of the destination industrial regions for placements.
She said that, based on information from the Gyeongnam Representative Office, the ongoing economic slowdown, the incomplete recovery of industrial activity, and rising tax rates mean demand for migrant workers has not shown any improvement.
Furthermore, she noted that the Metropolitan Visa scheme, which was previously projected to become a placement route for Indonesian migrant workers in the shipping sector in Gyeongnam, also cannot yet be implemented.
According to her, the programme is currently still being evaluated by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea as the authority that issues visas for foreign workers.
“While the evaluation process is under way, the programme is temporarily suspended. We understand this situation and will continue to follow every development,” she said.
On that occasion, the Deputy Minister also introduced SMK Go Global, a programme directed by President Prabowo Subianto that aims to improve the competencies of Indonesian people through training, certification, and overseas job placement, including in South Korea.
“What is important now is to keep communicating and preparing human resources through the SMK Go Global programme. Once South Korea’s economy recovers and demand for labour increases, Indonesia will be ready to provide competent, certified workers who meet industry needs,” she said.