By: Audy Andriani )*
Efforts to protect Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) abroad, especially in Malaysia, continue to be the government’s main concern. On various occasions, the government has emphasized its presence to provide maximum protection, both for migrant workers who are facing problems, and for prospective Indonesian migrant workers (CPMI) who are preparing to work legally abroad. This is a real reflection of the state’s role in guaranteeing the rights and dignity of every citizen, including those who seek a living outside Indonesia’s geographical boundaries.
These real steps can be seen in the strong commitment of the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) which not only plays a role in responding to cases of migrant workers who experience problems in other countries, but is also active in creating better and more structured placement governance. Through coordination with labor attachés, the government ensures that every PMI has access to legal protection, health services, and repatriation assistance if needed.
Minister of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), Abdul Kadir Karding, emphasized that the state will not remain silent seeing its citizens stranded in a foreign country. Karding firmly stated that his party will assist in the repatriation process of PMI who are sick in Malaysia. This is not only a form of sympathy, but a concrete implementation of the constitutional mandate which states that the state is obliged to protect every citizen, wherever they are.
Karding also emphasized that he and the Labor Attaché (Atnaker) at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) are fully responsible for providing protection and management for PMI. This reflects the synergy between the central government and foreign representatives in ensuring that every PMI is not left to face their problems alone. This step certainly brings a breath of fresh air to PMI and their families in the country, that the state is truly present, not just a slogan.
Not only in matters of protection for those who are sick or have problems, the government is also active in efforts to place prospective Indonesian migrant workers (CPMI) legally and with dignity. Deputy Minister of P2MI, Christina Aryani, showed special attention to CPMI from the Meranti Islands, Riau. She stated her commitment to help place these prospective workers in the plantation sector in Malaysia. This is important considering that this sector is one of the labor-intensive sectors that requires a lot of workers and is the mainstay of many families in coastal and border areas.
Deputy Minister Christina did not just make promises, but encouraged CPMI to follow legal procedures before leaving. This legal procedure is not merely bureaucracy, but rather an initial fortress that protects workers from the risk of exploitation and human trafficking. She also asked the local government to play an active role in channeling CPMI through official Indonesian migrant worker placement companies (P3MI). Thus, the status and rights of migrant workers will be clear from the start, and facilitate their access to protection if they face problems abroad.
No less important, protection for PMI also concerns those who are deported by the country of placement. In this case, the role of the Directorate General of Immigration is very vital. Head of Class II TPI Nunukan Immigration, Adrian Soetrisno, explained that his party had conducted an examination of 305 PMI who were deported by the Malaysian government. This process was carried out in an orderly, professional, and humane manner. This immigration check aims to ensure the identity and legal status of the deportees before they are returned to their respective regions of origin.
Furthermore, Adrian said that after the check, the deportees will be registered and their repatriation will be facilitated by the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Service Center (BP3MI). This approach is not merely administrative, but is a real form of state service to its vulnerable citizens. This step also reflects that the process of protecting migrant workers does not stop at one point, but continues from upstream to downstream, from legal placement, protection in the destination country, to the repatriation of those who experience problems.
The cross-agency commitment demonstrated by the Ministry of P2MI, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and BP3MI is proof that the Indonesian government does not consider the issue of migrant workers as a marginal issue. On the contrary, this is a strategic issue that concerns the dignity of the nation in the eyes of the world. Proactive steps such as repatriation assistance, facilitation of legal job placement, to the examination and repatriation of deportees are part of a comprehensive effort tocreate safe, orderly, and dignified migration governance.
Of course, all of these government efforts will not be optimal without the support of all elements of society. The community needs to understand that becoming a migrant worker is not a last resort, but rather a strategic choice that must be supported by the readiness of information, skills, and legality. Therefore, it is important for the community to actively seek official information, take training, and not be tempted by the flattery of brokers or illegal agents who promise a fast process without complete documents.
Likewise, local governments and community leaders in migrant worker pocket areas have a crucial role in educating and fostering prospective migrant workers. They can be at the forefront in ensuring that their citizens who want to work abroad do so procedurally, safely, and legally.
The state has and continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to providing protection to Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia. From the procedural placement process to the repatriation of those who are sick or deported, all show that the government is not sitting idly by. However, the success of protecting migrant workers is not only the government’s job, but also a shared responsibility. Education, advocacy, and dissemination of correct information to prospective migrant workers are key to preventing illegal practices and improving the welfare of our migrant workers.
)* FEB student at a private university in Jakarta
