Antara News·Indonesia·Monday, November 2, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC

Indonesia urges Hong Kong to open formal sectors for workers

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Cindy Frishanti Octavia, Yashinta Difa

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has formally called on the Hong Kong government to open up professional and formal job sectors to its migrant workforce, noting that nearly all placements in the territory remain heavily concentrated within the domestic sector.

Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) Mukhtarudin raised the matter during a bilateral meeting with Hong Kong’s Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han in Hong Kong on Monday.

The talks aimed to bolster labor cooperation and enhance the welfare of Indonesian workers, according to a statement released by the P2MI Ministry.

According to ministry data, 332,674 Indonesian migrant workers were placed in Hong Kong between 2023 and 2026, with 99.92 percent absorbed by the domestic household sector.

In response, Jakarta is pushing to diversify placements into higher-skilled industries, including elderly care, hospitality, food and beverage, as well as broader service sectors.

To meet the stringent demands of Hong Kong's formal labor market, Minister Mukhtarudin pointed to Indonesia's SMK Go Global initiative.

The vocational training program is designed to align domestic educational curricula and competency standards directly with international requirements.

Jakarta also welcomed Hong Kong’s Pilot Scheme for Foreign Domestic Carers and requested streamlined communication regarding care facility placements under the Special Scheme to Import Care Workers for Residential Care Homes.

Beyond employment expansion, the bilateral talks placed a heavy emphasis on safeguarding the rights, welfare, and safety of existing workers.

Mukhtarudin stressed the vital importance of protecting basic labor standards, including regulated working hours, adequate rest periods, and the freedom to practice religious beliefs.

The P2MI Ministry lauded the cooperative efforts of the Labour and Welfare Bureau and the Indonesian Consulate General in mediating labor disputes, assisting terminated workers, and managing grievances.

However, Jakarta urged even tighter coordination with Hong Kong’s immigration and labor authorities to handle work permit renewals, employer transfers, and urgent interventions for workers facing exploitation or violence.

“The exchange of information concerning the progress and outcomes of complaint handling is crucial to ensure that every issue receives clear follow-up action,” Mukhtarudin emphasized.

Welcoming the delegation, Secretary Chris Sun acknowledged the indispensable role Indonesian workers play in supporting Hong Kong’s workforce, particularly in caregiving and domestic support.

Sun reiterated Hong Kong’s commitment to maintaining open channels of communication with the Indonesian government, ensuring that labor policies continue to balance market demands with the strict protection of workers' rights under local regulations.

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