"The (MoU) is a form of handling step in order to create programs to protect migrant workers and prospective migrant workers," he added here on Tuesday.
He said that the four ministers who signed the MoU are the Minister of Manpower, Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions, Minister of Migrant Workers Protection, and Minister of Home Affairs, who supervises local governments.
According to Karnavian, migrant workers need to be paid attention to because they are vulnerable to facing issues.
Based on data, eight million Indonesians are working abroad, most of them in the non-skilled sector, and this group is vulnerable, he said.
"Therefore, there needs to be handling steps starting from the upstream level, from their departure until their return, and this requires synergy, both from the central and regional governments," he added.
For this reason, Karnavian explained, the four ministers have signed the joint MoU, which can serve as the basis for preparing migrant worker programs that can be included in regional budget (APBD) planning.
"The (central) government will not be able to work alone. The regional governments will be the ones who are directly involved in the policy making in the context of protecting migrant workers," he said.
He added that the MoU can be used to develop programs that are in favor of migrant workers in the regions, down to the village level.
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Translator: Khaerul I, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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