Antara News·Indonesia·Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 08:51 AM UTC

Indonesia targets 500,000 migrant workers abroad by 2029

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Fauzul Azhim Bin Fakhrurazi

Indonesian workers have a competitive advantage in the international job market due to their empathy, service orientation, and strong sense of loyalty,

Tangerang (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection (KP2MI) is targeting the placement of 500,000 prospective Indonesian migrant workers in 85 countries through its SMK Go Global Program, with placements to be carried out gradually through 2029.

KP2MI Director General for the Promotion and Utilization of Overseas Employment Opportunities Dwi Setiawan Susanto said in Tangerang on Tuesday that the government had prepared 32,000 prospective migrant workers for placement in 2026 as part of its broader target.

“These prospective workers are receiving intensive training, ranging from language proficiency and technical skills to mental preparedness,” he said.

He stressed that preparations for prospective migrant workers would not focus solely on technical job skills but also include a thorough understanding of employment contracts and personal protection, as well as the development of soft skills such as communication and adaptability.

“Indonesian workers have a competitive advantage in the international job market due to their empathy, service orientation, and strong sense of loyalty,” he said.

Dwi explained that KP2MI currently has cooperation arrangements or access to employment opportunities in around 85 countries, with 10 designated as priority destinations. In addition to Japan and South Korea, placement opportunities are also available in European countries such as Germany and Austria.

“We are also preparing strategic cooperation with Portugal, Türkiye, several countries in the Americas, and Canada,” he said.

“Our role is to open access and establish cooperation while maintaining standards, with protection as the key priority. Protection must begin from the outset through competency development and proper procedures to minimize the number of cases,” he added.

He said overseas placements had become an important source of foreign exchange for Indonesia. In 2025, remittances from Indonesian migrant workers reached Rp288 trillion, while total placements stood at 296,948 workers.

“This year, we project that placements could increase to 350,000 workers, supported by initiatives such as the SMK Go Global Program,” he said.

Meanwhile, KP2MI Director of Migrant Worker Vocational Institutional Development Abri Danar Prabawa emphasized the importance of establishing an integrated vocational training ecosystem, particularly during the pre-placement period, which serves as a foundation before workers are sent overseas.

“We have a considerable number of vocational training institutions across the country. Their existing resources and capabilities must be optimized to prepare workers who can be sustainably absorbed into the global job market,” he said.

To ensure that vocational institution graduates meet international standards, KP2MI is standardizing curricula and training programs in line with the needs of the global job market.

He said the measure was expected not only to improve the competitiveness of prospective migrant workers but also to strengthen their protection from the time they leave Indonesia.

“Anyone who wants to work abroad will be prepared through an appropriate vocational institution. We ensure that their skills and protection standards continue to improve so they are better prepared for overseas employment,” he said.

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