KUALA LUMPUR - The Migrant Worker Protection Ministry (P2MI), Mukhtarudin says its work now goes beyond sending workers abroad as it steps up empowerment programmes for those returning home, the Antara reported.

Muktarudin said the government must support workers once they are back in Indonesia to help them manage their finances and plan for their future.

He said one key step is to provide financial literacy training both before departure and during overseas employment.

“Many earn between Rp15 million and Rp20 million, yet around 70 to 80% is still spent on consumption.

“We teach them to be productive, save, and return with enough capital to start micro enterprises,” he said.

He said most migrant workers are tied to one or two year contracts, leaving many unprepared to manage their income after returning home.

“For those whose contracts are not renewed, they return home. Empowerment remains a challenge.

“After a one year contract, they come back and wait without clarity, putting them at risk of unemployment, falling back into poverty, or seeking work abroad again,”  he added.

He said financial literacy must also reach the workers’ families to support better long-term income management.

The government has worked with several ministries to create coaching programmes for returning migrant workers.

He also said former workers who plan to start small businesses receive support from the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, while those building export-focused micro enterprises are assisted by the Trade Ministry.

“We have two MoUs with the Trade Ministry and the MSME Ministry to ensure returning migrant workers receive immediate support,” he said.

Muktarudin said the main goal is to stop returning workers from falling into unemployment.

He said the government will continue strengthening empowerment programmes so returning migrant workers can become economically independent and avoid slipping back into poverty.