“The potential of our migrant workers is very significant,” Karnavian said during a meeting with Minister for Migrant Worker Protection Mukhtarudin in Jakarta.
The meeting focused on key challenges and strategies to strengthen the protection of migrant workers, from pre-departure preparation to reintegration upon return.
Karnavian said a well-structured grand design would help coordinate activities and clarify stakeholder roles across all stages—preparation, departure, placement, and post-employment.
He also stressed the need to enhance institutional capacity, both in governance and regulatory frameworks. Local governments’ vocational training centers (BLK), he said, could serve as models to improve workforce readiness.
“Improving the quality of migrant workers is essential, not only to ensure their welfare but also to boost Indonesia’s global labor competitiveness,” he said.
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He noted that many Indonesian migrant workers are still employed in domestic sectors, underlining the urgency of expanding skills training to access better-paying jobs abroad.
Karnavian also emphasized the importance of an integrated protection system that involves regional governments, access to overseas job markets, and an education system tailored to equip workers with relevant skills.
Mukhtarudin echoed these concerns, highlighting issues such as inconsistent training standards across regions, local regulations that conflict with national policies, and worker competency gaps, particularly in integrity and discipline.
He also pointed to ongoing problems in the licensing process for migrant placement companies, calling for clearer policies and enforcement.
Mukhtarudin said his ministry is gathering input from stakeholders to finalize a comprehensive grand design for migrant worker protection while ensuring consistent service quality.
Indonesia sends millions of workers abroad annually, contributing billions of dollars in remittances, but many still face risks related to poor training, exploitation, and weak legal protection.
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Translator: Fianda, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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