KUALA LUMPUR - Deputy Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) Christina Aryani said the government will not place Indonesian migrant workers in high-risk countries, including Cambodia, which is not an approved destination.

“Cambodia is not a placement country, and the government does not send migrant workers there,” she said at the Indonesia Economic Summit (IES) in Jakarta, last Wednesday, according to a P2MI ministry statement.

Christina stressed that destination countries for migrant workers are chosen carefully based on risk assessments.

She said her ministry only sends Indonesian migrant workers to countries with clear labour demand and strong employment laws.

“Destination countries must have good labour regulations or official cooperation with Indonesia through an MoU, and most importantly, protection systems such as insurance or social security for migrant workers,” she said.

She reiterated that the government will not place migrant workers, especially through official programmes, in countries that could threaten their safety or rights.

“It is impossible for the government to send migrant workers to risky countries, because protection is our main principle,” she added.

Christina explained that placement policies always prioritise safety, legality, and sustainable employment, in line with the government’s commitment to ensure migrant workers are treated fairly and with dignity.

“We want to make sure that every migrant worker who goes abroad is fully protected, has job certainty, and receives their rights,” she noted.

On destination markets, she noted that job opportunities remain wide, ranging from traditional destinations such as Malaysia, the Middle East, Japan, and South Korea, to countries in Eastern Europe.

“One major opportunity is Turkey, which is expected to need up to 40,000 workers this year, mainly in the hospitality sector,” she added.