By: Rahayu Kirani *)
The government’s attention to Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) is increasingly evident through various socialization and education programs focused on protection and empowerment. These efforts are not merely ceremonial programs but represent a serious commitment to ensure that PMI not only depart and return safely but also are equipped with financial knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead better lives. One concrete example of this commitment is seen in the Socialization and Financial Education as well as Content Creator Training for PMI held in Nunukan, North Kalimantan.
The event, officially opened by the Deputy Minister of Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers, Christina Aryani, symbolizes that the protection of PMI is a comprehensive process. This protection covers the pre-placement period, while PMI are working abroad, and upon their return to Indonesia. About 200 participants—including prospective PMI, returned PMI, and PMI families—took part in the event, showing the strong enthusiasm and hope from communities in border regions.
Christina emphasized that this activity is a direct mandate from President Prabowo, who stresses the importance of improving the quality of protection for PMI. With a focus on placing skilled PMI, the government hopes to create human resources who are not only foreign exchange heroes but also agents of change in their respective communities. In 2024 alone, 297 thousand PMI were officially placed. Their presence has helped reduce the national unemployment rate by 3.98% and boosted economic growth by up to 0.36%.
Another significant contribution from PMI is in the form of remittances amounting to IDR 253.3 trillion in the same year. These funds are not only a livelihood source for families back home but also contribute as valuable foreign exchange for national economic resilience. Therefore, financial literacy was a key theme in this socialization. Christina reminded participants of the importance of wise financial management, such as saving, smart investing, using official and secure remittance channels, and understanding digital crime risks in today’s digital era.
More than just financial education, the program also included digital skills training, especially in content creation. Deputy Minister Christina encouraged PMI to use digital platforms as a means to share experiences, promote regional potential, and even open new business opportunities. This initiative is expected to produce new entrepreneurs who are creative, independent, and competitive. This skills education becomes an important asset for returned PMI to remain productive after working abroad.
In a separate occasion at UIN KHAS Jember, the Expert Staff of the Ministry of Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers, Prof. Moh Chotib, conveyed that the role of higher education institutions is very strategic in the PMI protection ecosystem. He affirmed that academic support will strengthen policies and implementation of more humane and sustainable protection. With university involvement, prospective migrant workers can be equipped with legal literacy, technical skills, and a deep understanding of legal migration pathways.
Chotib highlighted the importance of collaboration between government and academia, through forums, policy research, and community service programs. He even emphasized the role of students as agents of change who can help socialize legal and safe migration routes to the public, especially during their field practice. This approach is considered very effective in preventing illegal migration practices, which often lead to exploitation and violation of workers’ rights.
In Jakarta, attention to migrant worker protection was also a key agenda in an important meeting attended by Deputy Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB) Purwadi Arianto alongside cross-ministry officials. The discussion focused in detail on the Draft Law on PMI Protection aimed at strengthening institutional governance, particularly within the Ministry of PMI Protection and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI). Purwadi stressed that PMI are an essential part of the national economic system and deserve maximum protection from the state.
Support for PMI protection programs also emerged in a strategic meeting between Minister of PMI Protection Abdul Kadir Karding and regional leaders across West Sumatra in Padang. During the meeting, Padang Mayor Maigus Nasir described PMI as national assets who can be a real solution to improving family and regional welfare. Minister Karding affirmed that the presence of the Ministry of PMI Protection in President Prabowo Subianto’s administration represents the government’s seriousness in managing migrant workers comprehensively—from training, placement, protection while working, to repatriation processes.
Karding also encouraged the creation of a safe, planned, and dignified labor migration ecosystem through cross-sector and regional collaboration. His grand vision, “Go as migrant, return as boss,” embodies the hope that PMI not only succeed abroad but also return with sufficient social and economic capital to build better lives at home.
*) Government Policy Observer
