MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – In a May Day public discussion held on Wednesday (May1st) at the Muhammadiyah Office in Jakarta, the Muhammadiyah Council for Community Empowerment Council (MPM) shed light on the complex issues faced by Indonesian migrant workers.
The event brought together figures like Muhammadiyah Chairman Anwar Abbas, MPM Chairman M. Nurul Yamin, and esteemed speakers from various government agencies (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Human Rights Commission) and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI).
Anwar Abbas, the Muhammadiyah Chairman, delved deeper into the root causes of Indonesians seeking employment abroad. He pointed out the government’s shortcomings in providing adequate job opportunities and fair wages within the country. However, he also acknowledged the potential for migrant workers to succeed abroad, stressing the importance of acquiring necessary skills to avoid low-skilled labor positions.
Anwar Abbas further emphasized a broader purpose for working overseas, drawing upon Surah Al-Jumu’ah verse 10, which encourages spreading across the globe. This perspective transcends personal financial gain and encourages migrant workers to contribute to their communities back home.
Furthermore, MPM Chairman M. Nurul Yamin underlined the vulnerability of Indonesian migrant workers. “Compared to domestic workers who have established organizations to advocate for their rights, migrant workers often lack such support structures,” said Yamin.
He emphasized the need for collaboration between different stakeholders, which led to the establishment of SARANMU (Sahabat Migran Muhammadiyah) – a joint initiative with Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah Universities.
Yamin also highlighted the migrant workers’ significant contribution to Indonesia’s foreign exchange, ranking second only to oil and gas exports. The discussion also addressed a critical threat faced by migrant workers – human trafficking. Yamin emphasized the growing reach of this criminal activity, targeting not only rural communities but also reaching university campuses.
“This chilling revelation underscores the complexities surrounding migrant workers, highlighting the need for vigilance and proactive solutions,” said Yamin.
