Government Pushes for New Regulations to Strengthen Migrant Workers’ Rights

Jakarta – The Draft Law on the Third Amendment to Law Number 18 of 2017 is considered a strategic step to strengthen protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI).

In a plenary meeting of the Indonesian House of Representatives’ Legislative Body, Member of the Democratic Party Faction, Wahyu Sanjaya, emphasized the importance of this revision to ensure the welfare and rights of migrant workers who often face serious challenges.

“As foreign exchange heroes, they make a big contribution to the national economy, but still face problems in protection and social security,” he said.

Wahyu also highlighted the large number of non-procedural workers due to the complicated bureaucratic process and high costs.

“We need an efficient and transparent system so that labor migration does not trap workers in disadvantageous situations,” he added.

He said that with this revision, the migration process will be simpler, more open, and safer.

This new regulation is also considered capable of expanding access to work abroad and ensuring that migrant workers return in more prosperous conditions.

Strengthening steps were also taken by the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KemenP2MI) through the signing of a memorandum of understanding with a number of ministries and institutions.

Minister of P2MI, Abdul Kadir Karding, explained that improving training and skills education is the main focus of PMI protection.

“I hope this memorandum of understanding will soon develop into an MoU that is followed up in the field. Don’t take too long if it’s about community welfare,” he said.

He said that protection for PMI must be concrete, including ensuring that they understand the official channels and master the language of the destination country.

Of the 10 million PMI, only 5.2 million departed procedurally.

“Some say that for every 1 official person, there are 3 who are unofficial,” said Karding. The lack of mastery of foreign languages, according to him, is one of the factors that makes workers vulnerable.

Meanwhile, Deputy of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Woro Srihastuti Sulistyaningrum, revealed that the government is preparing an MoU for the placement of domestic sector PMI in Saudi Arabia, which will guarantee clear work contracts, transparent salaries, and legal protection, especially for women workers in the informal sector.

“In the future, those who will be placed are workers with medium to high skills, so that risks can be reduced,” said Woro.

Minister Karding added that labor reforms in Saudi Arabia, such as the elimination of the Kafala system and the use of the Musaned digital system, are important opportunities.

The government is targeting the placement of 450,000 PMI per year with significant remittance projections for the national economy.**

[edRW]