Indonesian Migrant Workers: The Migration Process and Vulnerability to COVID‐19

Abstract

Indonesia is one of the largest sources of migrant workers in Southeast Asia. Presently, these workers are vulnerable to COVID-19 due to the prolonged migration process, which requires them to relocate from their villages to another country and back to Indonesia on completion of their working contract. Therefore, this study describes and discusses the vulnerability of Indonesian migrant workers (IMWs) to the pandemic at various phases of the migration process. It is related to the implementation and practice of health protocols, ignorance and indifference to the dangers and transmission of the virus, and also to the national vaccination program. The analysis is based on the review of literature studies, such as studies related to the topic, international and national regulations on migrant workers, and official data and statistics published by the Indonesian government. The materials and data were collected from search engines such as Google Search and Google Scholar and also relevant published reports available. Several policies have been implemented by the government of Indonesia and other destination countries where the prospective IMWs intend to work, to protect and prevent the transmission of COVID-19. However, there is still a contagion among IMWs willing to leave abroad and those returning home after completing their employment contract. Therefore, both countries need to be responsible for each migration process, specifically related to providing health protection, increasing awareness of the danger and transmission of the virus, and applying polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and COVID-19 vaccination for migrant workers.

Government policy on former foreign migrant workers who are at risk of infecting HIV/AIDS in East Lombok District, Indonesia

“…Their knowledge about STDs and HIV/AIDS is minimal (Voyiatzaki et al, 2021). The most dangerous impact is when IMW infected with or carrying STIs and other viruses return to visit their families in their place of origin (Anaf, Fitranita, Haning, & Mita, 2022). They can transmit STDs, HIV or other reproductive diseases to their wives.…”

Challenges in Implementing Governance Policies for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers

“…To address this issue, the government has conducted an information campaign to educate the prospective PMI community about the procedures for becoming a migrant worker. Information on becoming a migrant worker has been made available through the Productive Migrant Village Migration Service Center (Desmigratif) in village offices or through the One-Stop Integrated Service (LTSA) of the local Manpower Office (Anaf et al, 2022).…”

Kepemimpinan Jawa Dan Repatriasi Pekerja Migran: Model Untuk Tanggap Krisis Transformatif

“…Migrant workers from Indonesia until 2020 will reach 3.7 million people (Knomad, 2020). This figure shows that Indonesia ranks highest after the Philippines, whose citizens migrate to various countries in the Southeast Asian Region (Anaf et al, 2022). The existence of migrant workers from Indonesia is a form of interconnectivity and dependence on sending and receiving countries for economic growth.…”