Inp.polri.go.id - Padang. Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) Abdul Kadir Karding said on Tuesday (3/56/2025) that working abroad is a vital solution to limited job opportunities within Indonesia.
“To be honest, absorbing the workforce domestically is quite difficult. What’s the solution? It’s working overseas,” he said on Tuesday (3/6/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.
The Minister pointed to layoffs, low labor-intensive investments, and a demographic bonus as challenges limiting local employment.
The ministry is cooperating internationally to formalize undocumented migrant workers and enforce strict penalties against illegal recruiters and companies involved in unauthorized overseas labor placement.
“We will freeze and sanction these illegal operators,” Minister Abdul Kadir emphasized.
West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi encouraged youth to embrace the local tradition of “merantau” (migration) and pursue work abroad.
He highlighted government efforts to prevent undocumented migration through a special task force, acknowledging the risks migrant workers face despite the potential for improved livelihoods.
(mg/inp/pr/rs)