'East Java Can Become A National Role Model', Minister Of P2MI Praises PMI's Protection System When Meeting Khofifah

Minister Karding met the Governor of East Java Khofifah Indar Parawansa (DOK KemenP2MI-VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), Abdul Kadir Karding, appreciates the commitment of the East Java Provincial Government in strengthening the protection of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI).

This was conveyed by Karding after meeting the Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, at the Grahadi State Building, Surabaya, last Tuesday night.

"East Java is one of the provinces sending the largest migrant workers. Therefore, we discussed with the Governor to strengthen protection, both before leaving, while working abroad, as well as when they returned to the country," said Karding in the official release of the Ministry of P2MI received in Jakarta, Friday, July 11.

He emphasized the importance of empowering Retired PMI and socializing safe migration in villages that are the basis for non-procedural recruitment.

In addition, Karding also encourages the improvement of the skills of prospective migrant workers through an integrated vocational system.

"Currently, 80 percent of PMIs work in the domestic sector and 67.7 percent of them are women. In the future, we must prepare them with language training, work skills, and soft skills so that they can work in a more professional sector," he said.

According to Karding, East Java is considered the leading province in protecting migrant workers because it already has regional regulations that specifically regulate this matter.

"East Java has also allocated a regional budget for training and empowerment programs. This is the only province that has so far built a complete protection system. East Java can become a national role model," he said.

On the same occasion, Governor Khofifah submitted a proposal for the central government to build a permanent shelter for PMIs from East Java abroad.

"Yes, I conveyed earlier to the Minister. Hopefully communication can be built with other ministries. We really hope that East Java will have shelters, especially in Hong Kong and Taiwan," said Khofifah.

According to him, the number of PMIs from East Java who work in the two countries is quite significant. The existence of shelters, continued Khofifah, will be very helpful if accompanied by psychological services and regular counseling.

"If we have a permanent shelter, we can send a psychologist or psychiatrist regularly. For example, one month it is sent, then replaced the following month. Consultations and services needed by fellow migrant workers will be more facilitated," he said.

Khofifah also said that for the Malaysian region, East Java already has a community learning center that is not only beneficial for migrant workers, but also students from Indonesia who live in Kuala Lumpur and its surroundings.