KUALA LUMPUR - Indonesia has deployed 1,035 migrant workers to several destinations abroad, including Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan.

The deployment was marked by a send-off ceremony held in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta, last Thursday in conjunction with Indonesia’s International Migrant Day celebrations.

Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection (KP2MI) Minister Head, Mukhtarudin said the event was meant to show that Indonesia has reformed its regulations and institutions to better protect citizens working overseas.

“This also aligns with President Prabowo Subianto's target to send 500,000 professional migrant workers,” he said.

Mukhtarudin said the government aims to ensure that the targeted 500,000 workers are placed only in formal and professional sectors.

He added, to achieve this, Indonesia will strengthen vocational education to better prepare workers’ skills and competencies before deployment.

“We want to place these 500,000 workers in professional sectors. So we will prepare them through vocational education. 

So we will prepare their skills and competencies, and have them placed in the right sector and country. This way, the training, competencies, and placement match,” he said.

Coordinating Minister for People’s Empowerment, Muhaimin Iskandar said migrant workers have played an important role in enhancing Indonesia’s international standing.

He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring skills readiness, income security and proper protection for Indonesian migrant workers.

“We will fully support the steps taken by the Migrant Worker Protection Ministry and educational institutions to ensure that the migrant workers who are sent truly meet global standards, receive a decent income, and are protected,” Muhaimin said.