Jakarta. The Ministry for the Protection of Migrant Workers will deploy 1,035 Indonesian migrant workers overseas this week, coinciding with the commemoration of International Migrants Day on December 18.

Minister for the Protection of Migrant Workers Mukhtarudin said this year’s International Migrants Day will be marked under the theme “One Light, Thousands of Stories: Migrant Solidarity for Humanity” at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in East Jakarta.

The event is intended as a tribute to Indonesian migrant workers, who are widely regarded as ambassadors of the nation, key contributors to foreign exchange earnings, and an integral part of national development.

“The first agenda will be the kickoff for the deployment of 1,035 migrant workers from various sectors and skill levels to several countries,” Mukhtarudin said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

During the event, the government will also launch a series of “Migran Aman” (Safe Migrant Workers) applications as part of efforts to digitalize public services for Indonesian migrant workers.

In addition, the ministry will introduce the “Desa Migran Emas” program, which is designed as a comprehensive ecosystem to nurture and support migrant workers starting at the village level.

Mukhtarudin said the International Migrants Day commemoration serves as a moment for Indonesia to demonstrate to the international community the state’s commitment to protecting its migrant workers.

He added that the government continues to strengthen the legal framework and develop a comprehensive protection system for Indonesian migrant workers.

According to government data, more than 280,000 Indonesian citizens are currently working overseas.

Mukhtarudin said the top five destinations for Indonesian migrant workers at present are Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, and Singapore, citing proximity and relatively lower skill barriers compared with European countries and some other Asian regions.

The government has set a target of deploying 259,144 migrant workers in 2025, a figure that has already been exceeded as of early December.

“Going forward, the placement of Indonesian workers will be expanded to Turkey, several Eastern European countries, Germany, Italy, as well as the United States, New Zealand, and Australia,” Mukhtarudin said.

However, he stressed that expanding overseas placements must be matched by improved workforce competencies, particularly language skills and technical expertise tailored to the needs of destination countries.