Work

Promoting Safe and Skilled Labour Migration: Implementation and Challenges in Indonesia's Labour Migration Policies

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT This study used an interpretive research method to assess the effectiveness of policy reforms in ensuring safe migrant labour from Indonesia, a major sender of low‐skilled workers. The findings indicate that inadequate implementation infrastructure can exacerbate human rights abuses rather than prevent them. While the central government emphasises official protection mechanisms, local governments lack physical and human resources for effective implementation. Furthermore, structural dependence on market‐savvy sending agencies has emerged. The study suggests that Indonesia's labour migration policy needs to shift from a framework of detailed regulations to a flexible mechanism more in line with implementation capacity and market realities and recommends the establishment of public support centres, the standardisation of cost structures, the expansion of skills certification systems, and the strengthening of public‐private partnerships.

Source: International Migration

DOI: 10.1111/imig.70091

Authors: Kiyoko Saito, Firman Budianto

Institutions: Japan International Cooperation Agency, National Research and Innovation Agency

Language: English

Topic: Migration and Labor Dynamics

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Reduced inequalities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,500