"The first thing we do is map job opportunities, then mapping the potential countries where we should send them (migrant workers)," Minister for the Protection of Migrant Workers, Abdul Kadir Karding, said here on Saturday.
He explained that the mapping is important considering the availability of prospective migrant workers from different backgrounds, ranging from graduates of vocational schools and job training institutions to job training centers.
"We can encourage investment in training centers by the private sector. That's what we can do," he said.
Several ministries will also be involved to improve the capacity and capability of each prospective migrant worker.
"We can work together with several ministries that have training places, for example, health polytechnics under the Ministry of Health," he said.
Minister Karding emphasized the need to develop the capacity and capability of prospective migrant workers to enable them to join the international workforce, in order to reduce unemployment and poverty rates in Indonesia.
The target of sending at least 425 thousand Indonesian migrant workers this year, he added, is expected to boost Indonesia's economic growth by 0.52 percent and generate potential foreign exchange earnings of more than Rp300 trillion.
"Around 68 percent of their income is sent to Indonesia; that is what contributes to foreign exchange earnings," he pointed out.
The initiative to send thousands of Indonesian migrant workers abroad has been followed up with steps to regulate distribution agents.
He emphasized that every licensed distribution agency or institution must comply with government regulations in the sending and placement of migrant workers.
If any agency or institution is found to have violated the rules, the ministry will not hesitate to revoke the distribution permit, he warned.
"Of course, we will not give mercy, the permit will be revoked," Minister Karding said.
Meanwhile, the government is currently investigating unlicensed or illegal distribution agents to minimize the number of unprocedural migrant workers.
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Translator: Ananto Pradana, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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