Minister Of Karding-Governor Melki Teken MoU Guidelines Migrant Workers From NTT

East Nusa Tenggara Governor Melki Laka Lena (left) together with P2MI Minister Abdul Kadir Karding signed an MoU for the protection of PMI NTT in Kupang, Thursday (7/8). ANTARA/Kornelis Kaha

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KemenP2MI) together with the Provincial Government of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) are committed to protecting migrant workers from the area through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Kupang, Thursday, August 6.

NTT Governor Melki Laka Lena said that the protection of migrant workers from NTT really needs to be done, because the province is the largest contributor to Indonesian migrant workers abroad.

"Welcome, Mr. Minister, this is the province that contributes the most migrant workers abroad," said Melki when welcoming the arrival of Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Minister (P2MI) Abdul Kadir Karding at the NTT Governor's Office, Kupang, Thursday, August 6, was confiscated by Antara.

Minister Karding was supposed to make a working visit to NTT on Wednesday, August 6, as well as to attend a central government coordination meeting with provincial governments and district/city governments throughout NTT to discuss accelerating the National Strategic Program in the province.

However, because he was summoned by President Prabowo Subianto, his arrival to sign the MoU was only carried out today in the Sasando lobby of the NTT governor's office.

In his remarks, the Governor of NTT said migrant workers from NTT were known for their hard-working characters.

However, unfortunately, they are still trapped in a non-procedural pattern of departure, making them vulnerable to violence and exploitation in the destination country.

"I am sure that the Minister's arrival will provide information and solutions in dealing with the problems of Indonesian migrant workers in NTT, so that our PMI can work safely abroad and of course legally," he said.

Based on data from BP2MI, during the last few years, NTT has continued to increase. In 2022, the number of legal PMIs sent to the country reached approximately 4,200 people, in 2023 it reached 6,200 people and in 2024 it reached 7,000 people.

Melki admits that many PMI NTT initially wanted to work legally, but eventually fell into illegal workers, because of the high lure of brokers.

Meanwhile, P2MI Minister Abdul Kadir said many brokers were involved, from the village to the time of departure, so he would make a special policy so that this would not happen again.

"Don't give space for brokers. They must be arrested, including the syndicates," he said.