"Migrant workers have become one of the pillars of national economic growth and concretely contribute to state income and economic productivity through high remittances or income sent to the country," Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, said during the dispatch of 551 PMIs to South Korea, here on Monday.
At the recruitment stage, the government is ensuring the safety of migrant workers by eradicating syndicates offering illegal placements in destination countries.
Meanwhile, remittances by PMI from South Korea in the second quarter of 2022 reached US$22 million. In view of this contribution, the government is striving to improve services and protection for migrant workers through various policies.
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The policies cover exemptions on some preliminary fees for certain types of work, placement fees for 10 types of vulnerable positions, departure and return ticket fees, work visas, as well as work agreement legality, job training, social security, health exams, transportation, and accommodation, among others.
In addition, the government is offering smallholder business credit (KUR) to migrant workers, with a budget of Rp390 billion allocated for this in 2022.
The loan ceiling amount has also been increased from Rp25 million to Rp100 million.
"For migrant workers who need monetary assistance before departing, the government is providing KUR to PMIs with a ceiling of up to Rp100 million so that they do not need to sell their things or owe loan sharks anymore," Hartarto said.
On Monday (August 22), the government sent 551 PMIs to South Korea under a G-to-G scheme. Most of the migrant workers were placed in the manufacturing and fisheries sectors.
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Translator: Kuntum R, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
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