Migrant Worker Protection is a Shared Responsibility, No One Can Solve This Challenge Alone

Meeting of the Prime Minister for the Preparation of the RAN Follow-up Concluding Observations of the CMW Committee in Jakarta (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RI)

JAKARTA - Protecting Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) is a shared responsibility, no one institution can solve this challenge alone, said the Acting Director General of Multilateral Cooperation of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Denny Abdi.

He conveyed this at the First Meeting on the Preparation of the RAN Follow-up to the Concluding Observations of the United Nations Committee on the Protection of Migrant Workers (Committee) CMW in Jakarta, Tuesday.

In his strategic remarks, Ambassador Denny emphasized the full commitment of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support the strengthening of the governance of the protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) through the preparation of the National Action Plan (RAN).

This RAN is a concrete step by the government in following up on the CMW Committee's Concluding Observations after the Second Periodic Report of Indonesia's Constructive Dialogue in Geneva late last year.

The event, which was initiated by the Indonesian Ministry of Protection of Migrant Workers (KP2MI), was officially opened by the Minister of P2MI, and was attended by the ranks of Level I across ministries/institutions (K/L), representatives of civil society organizations, academics, and UN agencies.

Ambassador Denny Abdi at the First Meeting of the Preparation of the RAN Follow-up to the Concluding Observations of the CMW Committee in Jakarta (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RI)

"Protection of migrant workers is a shared responsibility that requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. No single agency can solve this migration challenge alone," said the Acting Director General of Multilateral Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, quoted from a statement, Friday (17/6).

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs appreciates the preparation of the RAN as a strategic step to translate the 33 substantive recommendations of the CMW Committee into concrete task allocations between K/L.

The four main pillars that need to be strengthened are also emphasized, namely legal harmonization and reform, more cohesive institutional coordination, protection of vulnerable groups, and strengthening access to justice and basic services without discrimination.

Meeting of the Prime Minister for the Preparation of the RAN Follow-up Concluding Observations of the CMW Committee in Jakarta (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RI)

Considering that Indonesia faces the deadline for the submission of the Interim Report on January 1, 2028 and the Third Periodic Report on January 1, 2031, the 2026-2027 period is targeted to produce initial evidence of tangible policy implementation.

If a recommendation cannot be implemented due to capacity constraints or domestic sensitivity, the Government is committed to demonstrating a credible process through in-depth readiness studies and systematic regulatory mapping.

In addition, it was also conveyed the importance of encouraging the strengthening of migration data as a common asset across sectors through an interoperable data exchange mechanism, while upholding the protection of personal data.

The interoperability of this data is believed to facilitate coordination of case handling in the field more effectively and efficiently.

In the dimension of diplomacy, the Acting Director General of Multilateral Cooperation emphasized that the success of domestic governance is the main foundation of the credibility of Indonesia's diplomatic leadership at the global level.

"The strength of protective diplomacy abroad starts from the order of governance in the country," he said.

As a strategic bridge between international commitments and domestic implementation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is ready to accompany so that every progress at the national level can be translated into Indonesian diplomacy ammunition in multilateral forums.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also emphasized its readiness to continue to synergize with all stakeholders so that the recommendations of the CMW Committee will materialize into real improvements in the country and inclusive protection for migrant workers wherever they are.