DPR Criticizes P2MI Karding Minister Who Encourages Citizens To Work Abroad: Ignore State Responsibility

Minister of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) Abdul Kadir Karding (ANTARA/Katriana)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives Nurhadi criticized the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Ministry (KemenP2MI) for encouraging Indonesians to seek work abroad to reduce the unemployment rate in the country.

According to him, this push is a form of shortcut that actually weakens the sovereignty of the national labor system.

"Encouraging residents to seek work abroad cannot be used as the main solution for eradicating unemployment. This is an emergency way of thinking that ignores the state's responsibility to build a healthy and sovereign employment system," said Nurhadi, Tuesday, July 1.

"Sending workers abroad is just a shortcut, not a way out," he continued.

Nurhadi assessed that the Ministry of P2MI should focus more on developing the domestic work ecosystem. Although, according to him, migrant workers have also contributed to increasing the country's foreign exchange.

"We certainly appreciate migrant workers who have contributed to moving the country's foreign exchange. But when the government directs the people to 'floating' to look for work in people's countries, then this is an alarm that the domestic work ecosystem is paralyzed or not getting serious attention," said the NasDem legislator.

The member of the commission in the DPR in charge of employment affairs then highlighted the weak protection system for Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI). Nurhadi emphasized that thousands of cases of violence and exploitation of PMIs have not been handled properly.

"Thousands of cases of violence and exploitation of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) have not been resolved. Are the training, mentoring, and legal protection systems for PMIs strong? Do not let the state release its citizens to the global labor market without adequate shields," he said.

Nurhadi also said that the encouragement for Indonesians to leave the country to look for work was not in line with the national spirit that wanted the nation's children to excel in developing their country. He then mentioned the #kaburajadulu phenomenon which was busy some time ago.

"It is ironic when we try to suppress the #kaburajadu phenomenon but stakeholders seem to support it. The government has a responsibility to ensure the provision of employment for its citizens. This is a constitutional mandate," explained Nurhadi.

He suggested that there be construction of vocational centers that are integrated with the needs of the national industry, as well as downstreaming of primary sectors to create dignified jobs.

"Build vocational centers that are integrated with the needs of the national industry. Encourage downstreaming of the primary sector so that the people work as processors, not only as rough workers. Employment policy reform must focus on job creation, not job exportation," concluded Nurhadi.

Previously, the Minister of Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), Abdul Kadir Karding, encouraged the reduction in the number of open unemployment in Central Java by encouraging people to work abroad officially.

This was conveyed by Karding during a talk show and the inauguration of the Migrant Center at the Prof. Soedarto Building, Diponegoro University (Undip), Semarang, Thursday, June 26.

Nationally, Karding said the unemployment rate in Indonesia had exceeded 70 million people.

"In Central Java, there are (nearly) 1 million (unemployed) who have not been absorbed, you (students) are candidates (employees) who are not absorbed, so immediately think abroad," said Karding.