Minister Karding Encourages Japan To Expand Quota And Investment Center For Indonesian Migrant Workers Training Centers

Minister of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), Abdul Kadir Karding (DOK KemenP2MI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) Abdul Kadir Karding emphasized the government's commitment to support the needs of skilled workers in Japan, especially in the elderly (care workers) and nursing sectors.

This was conveyed by Karding in a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Minister of Health, Manpower and Welfare of Japan (MHLW) Yoko Wanibuchi in Tokyo, Monday, August 25.

"We hope that the cooperation that has been established so far can be expanded, either through increasing the placement quota, expanding certification facilities in Indonesia, as well as strengthening protection and insurance for PMI. Indonesia is taking advantage of the demographic bonus, and we are committed to preparing workers according to the needs of the Japanese industry," Karding said as quoted from the release of the Ministry of P2MI, Jakarta, today.

He also proposed concrete steps to strengthen the placement mechanism, including the addition of professional or prometric licensing or licensing centers in various provinces, national exam opportunities up to three times for care workers candidates, as well as Japan's support in the development of migrant centers and vocational schools based on the Japanese curriculum in Indonesia.

"We hope that there will be investment from the Japanese industry in the construction of training centers, provision of curriculum, and training instructors (training of trainers). We also propose forming a joint team so that program coordination and evaluation can run quickly," he explained.

Furthermore, Karding expressed full support for the Care Worker Project project which will be launched in April.

"We will fully oversee this project according to the Japanese government's request. Japan is a priority country for the Ministry of P2MI, and we want to ensure cooperation runs optimally," he said.

Responding to this, Deputy Minister of MHLW Yoko Wanibuchi expressed his appreciation for the quality of Indonesian migrant workers. He said that currently there are around 100 thousand workers from Indonesia with internship schemes, as well as 53 thousand workers with the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) scheme who are registered as working in Japan.

"We are grateful to the Indonesian government for the provision of superior workers," he said.

Yoko views the Care Worker Project as a strategic program for Japan. He asked for direct support from Minister Karding so that the project runs smoothly.

The meeting ended with an understanding to strengthen coordination, expand cooperation coverage, and form a joint team to accelerate evaluation and improve PMI placement and training programs in Japan.