East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggar (ANTARA) - Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah stated that the International Migrant Day, which is commemorated on December 18, is a momentum for Indonesian Migrant Workers to rise from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I compel everyone to collectively strive to foster enthusiasm for work after nearly three years in the downturn of COVID-19. With the enthusiasm to rise and the enthusiasm to work, I believe that it will bring good impact on the glory of Indonesia," Minister Fauziyah said in the commemoration of the 2022 International Migrant Day in East Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara, on Sunday.

The COVID-19 pandemic which has persisted for three years long has impacted the global job market, including for migrant workers,she said.

However, with the pandemic handling seeing improvements, it is expected that all stakeholders in the placement process will improve the quality of their contribution so that the future of migrant workers will be even better.

She opined that the improvement in global job market landscape could be seen from the increasing number of countries which accept Indonesian migrant workers, which is currently capped at 77. The changes were also in accordance with health protocol rules in each country.

The expansion of the labor market overseas which affects the country's foreign exchange earnings is a success obtained by the government along with all related stakeholders, she added.

She named some entities which took part in this, including National Board for the Placement and Protection of Migrant Workers, regional government, village government, as well as the Indonesian Migrant Worker Placement Company which have contributed to the process of placing and protecting migrant workers.

"We must continue to maintain this good cooperation, support each other for giving the best services for our foreign exchange heroes," she said.

On the occasion, she also gave her regards to the migrant workers overseas, post-placement migrant workers, candidates, and migrant workers' families that had joint the commemorative event.

"For migrant workers who are overseas at the moment, take care of your health; the spirit to rise, the spirit of work must always be fostered inside. The most important thing is to maintain the honor of Indonesia," she said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar urged the migrant workers to continue to be optimistic and put faith in the government, and believe that various migration issues would be resolved.

"Strengthen your heart and enthusiasm to continue working, and trust us that we can work hand in hand with the government in handling the problems we are facing," he stated.

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Translator: Hreeloita D S, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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