KUALA LUMPUR - Lakpesdam Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) held the Kick Off Forum for the Community-Based Multi-Stakeholder Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI BK) on Tuesday at the Gresik Regent Office.

The event gathered Lakpesdam officials, Indonesia's Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP3MI) East Java head Gimbar Ombai Helawarnana, Gresik’s regional secretary Achmad Washil, local government and civil society representatives, and programme facilitators.

Lakpesdam PBNU official Lilik Purwandi said the programme aims to develop human resources, particularly NU members, as part of social transformation towards Indonesia Emas 2045.

“If we look at it, the challenges of protecting migrant workers are still very large, at every stage, from departure, working abroad, to returning. We need to examine these issues and find solutions together,” he said.

He added that migrant workers often face exploitation, fraud, violence, and human rights violations, particularly in the informal sector.

“These problems are very complex. From start to finish, they need our collective attention, especially a protection system that reaches all layers of society,” he said.

The programme involves Lakpesdam NU in community advocacy and collaboration with Germany’s GIZ and Indonesia’s Ministry of Migrant Worker Protection (P2MI).

“Programmes run in seven provinces, including East Java. In East Java, we focus on Gresik with 10 villages to support: Campurejo, Dalegan, Sumurber, Wotan, Ngimboh, Cangaan, Banyuurip, Lowayu, Imaan, and Mentaras,” he said.

Lilik described the forum as the first step in cross-sector coordination, from the ministry, local and village governments, Lakpesdam NU, civil society, to migrant communities and families to generate collaborative solutions.

“By the end of this programme, we hope to see regulations or legal frameworks strengthening protection for our migrant workers, such as regional decrees supporting the forum. We ask for your support,” he said.

Activities will include outreach and education, advocacy, monitoring, and collaboration facilitation.

Gimbar said that 297,433 Indonesians work abroad, with 79,339 from East Java, the largest share nationwide.

“In 2024, their remittances reached over Rp67 trillion. Imagine the economic impact they generate for their hometowns; they are true foreign exchange heroes, daring to change their fate,” he said.

He added that the main destinations are Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Taiwan, mostly as domestic workers.

“Social costs are significant. How are children affected when their mothers are abroad? What about parents left behind?

“No single ministry or local government can fully handle migrant worker protection. Collaboration across stakeholders is essential,” he said.

He highlighted the ministry’s five Desa Indonesia Emas in Gresik, focusing on education, family reintegration, and mental health alongside previous entrepreneurship programmes.

“Previously we focused on economic empowerment, but now social costs must also be considered, requiring intensive collaboration,” he said.

Gimbar praised Gresik Regent H. Fandi Akhmad Yani’s attention to migrant children, especially those without citizenship in Malaysia, and noted Lakpesdam’s baseline studies as programme foundations.

Through a written statement, Regent Gus Yani expressed support for the initiative and noted a MoU signed with KP2MI for five Desa Migran Emas in July 2025.

“The MoU covers capacity building, service enhancement, outreach, case assistance, and budget utilisation,” he said.

He acknowledged that despite Gresik’s industrial status with around 1,800 companies, local employment cannot absorb all residents, prompting migration.

“This creates challenges including worker rights, social protection, working conditions abroad, and undocumented migrant cases vulnerable to fraud and exploitation,” Gus Yani said.

He thanked PBNU for its commitment to addressing migrant worker issues, including prevention and handling of illegal migrant cases.

“I urge villages, especially in Desa Migran Emas, and the Manpower Office to monitor and assist Gresik migrant workers and strengthen synergy among stakeholders and Lakpesdam,” he said.

The forum officially opened with the regional secretary presiding, followed by a talk show on migrant worker conditions and the role of civil society in protection.