The Government of Indonesia has launched a new nationwide initiative called the National Movement for Safe Migrants, aimed at improving protection for Indonesian workers abroad and tackling illegal recruitment and trafficking.
The programme was announced by the Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) in collaboration with the Presidential Staff Office and the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections. It is designed to address long-standing issues faced by migrant workers, including fraud, non-procedural recruitment, and exploitation linked to trafficking networks.
Officials said the initiative is part of a broader government effort to strengthen coordination between agencies and dismantle illegal syndicates involved in sending workers abroad without proper documentation or safeguards.
Minister Mukhtarudin of KP2MI said the initiative responds directly to presidential directives aimed at improving migrant worker safety. He stressed that stronger cooperation between government institutions is needed to ensure workers are properly protected from the recruitment stage through to their employment overseas.
He also noted that many Indonesian migrants have fallen victim to scams and unsafe recruitment practices, leading to cases of exploitation and trafficking in destination countries.
As part of the programme, authorities plan nationwide outreach activities, involving regional offices, service centres, and local governments. These efforts will focus on educating prospective migrant workers and improving access to safe and legal migration pathways.
The Ministry of Immigration and Corrections highlighted the importance of ensuring that workers have complete documentation before leaving the country. Officials said many Indonesians currently working abroad do so with incomplete or irregular paperwork, increasing their vulnerability to abuse.
The government also plans to strengthen overseas support systems through immigration attachés and migrant worker representatives to help address cases of exploitation and provide assistance in destination countries.
Presidential officials emphasised that the initiative also includes better screening and preparation of workers before departure to reduce risks linked to irregular migration.
The Safe Migrants Movement reflects Indonesia’s growing focus on managing labour migration more safely while ensuring that overseas employment continues to contribute positively to the country’s economy.