DPR Agrees With Minister Karding's Plan To Revoke PMI Moratorium To Saudi Arabia, But With A Note

Minister of Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), Abdul Kadir Karding at the DPR building, Monday 28 April 2025 (Nailin/VOI)

Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives approved the plan of the Minister of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), Abdul Kadir Karding, who wanted to revoke the moratorium on migrant workers to Saudi Arabia, but with a note. Namely, KP2MI must ensure comprehensive protection for PMIs stationed in Saudi Arabia.

This was conveyed by Minister Karding after a meeting with Commission IX of the DPR RI and the Acting Secretary General of the Ministry of Manpower at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Monday, April 28.

"Agree with some notes. So giving us a mandate to seek comprehensive protection," said Karding.

Karding said that his party needed to prepare cooperation documents if Saudi Arabia had agreed to ask for Indonesia.

"Later we will prepare our readiness first, then continue to discuss the MOU, then later we will see if Saudi Arabia can be invited to cooperate," said Karding.

"Because actually the requirements to cooperate with a country are one, there is an MOU, there is a joint agreement. Second, in that country there is a law regulation on employment that guarantees protection. Third, there is a system. Systems can be in the form of electronic systems and adequate governance systems for the protection of migrant workers. So the three conditions by law are requested by us. and that Saudi Arabia has actually fulfilled," he continued.

Karding agreed with Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives so that the Indonesian government is careful in approving the cooperation in sending PMIs with Saudi Arabia. Given that there is a bad experience experienced by Indonesian migrant workers in the country.

"But I also agree with DPR friends, the principle of prudence is important. Because this is a matter of human life," he said.

Even so, Karding has not yet targeted the time for this cooperation agreement to be signed. His party, he said, needed to receive input and considerations from various parties first.

"Yes, we can't target it. We don't run alone, there is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there is our Coordinating Ministry too. So we have to discuss with them," he concluded.