Indonesia has sent 1,035 migrant workers abroad as part of activities marking International Migrants Day, observed every year on December 18. The deployment was announced by the Ministry for the Protection of Migrant Workers and reflects the government’s continued commitment to supporting Indonesians working overseas.
According to the Minister for the Protection of Migrant Workers, Mukhtarudin, this year’s International Migrants Day is being celebrated under the theme “One Light, Thousands of Stories: Migrant Solidarity for Humanity.” The main event is taking place at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in East Jakarta and is meant to honor the contribution of Indonesian migrant workers to the country.
The minister explained that the deployment includes workers from different sectors and skill levels. These workers will be sent to several countries where Indonesian labor is in demand. He described migrant workers as ambassadors of Indonesia who not only earn income for their families but also contribute significantly to national development and foreign exchange earnings.
As part of the event, the government also launched new digital services known as the “Migran Aman” (Safe Migrant Workers) applications. These platforms are designed to improve access to information, protection services, and official processes for migrant workers before and during their employment abroad.
In addition, the ministry introduced the “Desa Migran Emas” program. This initiative aims to build a strong support system for migrant workers starting from their villages. It focuses on training, legal awareness, and economic empowerment to ensure migrants are better prepared before leaving Indonesia.
Government data shows that more than 280,000 Indonesian citizens are currently working overseas. The most popular destinations for Indonesian migrant workers remain Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, and Singapore. These countries are preferred due to their proximity and relatively lower skill requirements compared to Europe and some other regions.
Mukhtarudin noted that Indonesia has already exceeded its 2025 target of deploying 259,144 migrant workers, even before the end of the year. Looking ahead, the government plans to expand worker placements to new destinations, including Turkey, Eastern European countries, Germany, Italy, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia.
However, the minister stressed that sending workers abroad must go hand in hand with improved skills. He emphasized the importance of language training and technical skills to meet the standards and needs of destination countries and to ensure Indonesian migrant workers remain competitive and well-protected.