Jakarta. Indonesia is sending 1,035 migrant workers abroad, some of whom are going to Hong Kong and Japan.

Some are also going to Taiwan.

The send-off ceremony is also part of Indonesia's International Migrant Day celebrations. Migrant Worker Protection Minister Mukhtarudin said Thursday that the event aimed to show the world that Indonesia has "transformed" — be it in regulations or institutionally — to safeguard the people working overseas. 

"This also aligns with [President Prabowo Subianto's] target to send 500,000 professional migrant workers," Mukhtarudin said.

As for the 500,000 migrant worker target, Indonesia will make sure that they will work in formal and professional jobs. To this end, Indonesia will ramp up its vocational education.

"We want to place these 500,000 workers in professional sectors. So we will prepare them through vocational education. So we will prepare their skills and competencies, and have them placed in the right sector and country. This way, the training, competencies, and placement match," Mukhtarudin said.

Coordinating Minister for People's Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar said that migrant workers had largely contributed to the country's reputation. He also reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring skills readiness, income security, and adequate protection for Indonesian migrant workers.

"We will fully support the steps taken by the Migrant Worker Protection Ministry and educational institutions to ensure that the migrant workers who are sent truly meet global standards, receive a decent income, and are protected," Muhaimin said.