Govt Inks New MoUs to Better Protect Migrant Workers
Jakarta. The Migrant Worker Protection Ministry recently inked 13 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and 5 cooperation agreements with strategic partners.
This string of documents aim to strengthen cross-stakeholder synergy in protecting Indonesian workers abroad. Some of the deals also explore the possibility of honing migrant workers' skills to make them more competitive in the global job market.
The strategic partners included the Communications Ministry, the State-Owned Enterprises Regulatory Agency, Deli Serdang Regency Government, Kupang Polytechnic, Brawijaya University, Tadulako University, as well as the Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative (IOJI).
Other signatories included Al-Azhar University in Mataram, Syiah Kuala University in Aceh, the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), STIKES Budi Luhur Cimahi, LPK Bahana Inspirasi Muda, the Nahdlatul Ulama Female Student Association (IPPNU) Alumni Council, and Soeharto Heerdjan Mental Hospital.
Migrant Worker Protection Minister Mukhtarudin said that the government remained committed to protect Indonesians working overseas.
"Migrant workers are essentially a vulnerable group. They work abroad not solely to pursue the country's economic goals, but also to fight for the survival and future of their families," Mukhtarudin said.
President Prabowo Subianto's decision to upgrade the migrant worker protection agency to a ministerial level shows the government's commitment to offer stronger protection, according to Mukhtarudin.
The MoU with the Communication Ministry will strengthen digital oversight and information literacy, ensuring that migrant workers are protected from exploitation and prepared to compete globally. Communications Minister Meutya Hafid said that her team had handled over 300 complaints of fraud related to migrant workers, particularly fake job postings on social media.
"With this MoU, we hope to strengthen reporting channels and take down illegal content more quickly," Meutya said.
Deputy Head of the State-Owned Enterprises Regulatory Agency Tedi Bharata stated that migrant workers are a national asset that must be protected so they can work safely, comfortably, and return safely.
"We support this program. We hope that the knowledge gained abroad can be passed on when they (migrant workers) return to Indonesia," Tedi said.
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