Depok, West Java. Indonesia’s Manpower Ministry on Monday officially dispatched 202 workers abroad under a government-to-government (G-to-G) employment scheme, sending 191 to South Korea and 11 to Germany.

According to Ahnas, the ministry’s Director General for Migrant Worker Placement, those heading to South Korea will work in the manufacturing, fisheries, and service sectors, while the group bound for Germany will be employed as nurses.

The preparation process for overseas placements can take up to two years, involving both technical skills training and intensive language courses. “We make sure they are equipped with the necessary technical and language competencies before departure,” Ahnas said at the send-off ceremony in Depok.

Employment contracts in South Korea last three years, with the option to extend for up to 22 months. In Germany, contracts also span three years, but may be extended further if workers gain professional recognition. To date, at least 270 Indonesian nurses have been deployed to Germany under the same G-to-G scheme.

The income prospects are a major draw. Indonesian workers in South Korea earn an average monthly salary of Rp 25 million ($1,500), while those in Germany receive between Rp 40 million and Rp 50 million ($2,400–$3,000).

Despite high interest in the program, Ahnas cautioned that mental readiness is crucial. He recalled that 846 Indonesian workers in South Korea resigned prematurely last year because they were unprepared for the challenges of working abroad. “If you are not ready, it is better to step back early, rather than risk burying someone else’s dream because of our lack of preparedness,” he said.

He stressed that working overseas is not only about earning higher wages but also about carrying greater responsibility, including the ability to adapt to new cultures, languages, and work environments.

For Resti, a worker from Central Java who was among those departing, the moment was deeply emotional. “It is moving to finally reach this stage -- to go abroad to change our future. It’s hard to find a decent job in Indonesia,” she said.