Jihan Ristiyanti, Jakarta – The Ministry of Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) has recently proposed a plan to collaborate with the Ministry of Immigration and Deportation of Indonesia to issue special passports for Indonesian migrant workers (PMI). However, this initiative has been met with criticism from Migrant Care, a non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting migrant workers' rights.

"Special passports for PMI cannot solve procedural problems of PMI and instead constitute a form of discrimination," the Coordinator of the Legal Assistance Division of Migrant Care, Nur Harsono, told Tempo on Friday, November 29, 2024.

Nur suggests that instead of distinguishing passports, the government should prioritize strengthening the protection of PMI and improving bilateral cooperation with destination countries.

"It's also important to establish policies regarding the Overseas Job Training Center (BLKLN) program, which has been used for recruitment projects and the stockpiling of potential PMI candidates," he said.

Furthermore, Nur called for collaboration with the Ministry of Villages and Underdeveloped Regions to educate residents about safe immigration procedures, aiming to prevent non-procedural migration at the village level.

The plan for special passports was unveiled by P2MI Minister Abdul Kadir Karding following a coordination meeting with Minister of Immigration and Deportation Agus Andrianto on November 20, 2024. Karding explained that the initiative is part of collaborative efforts to enhance the protection of Indonesian migrant workers. He believes that many migrant workers fall victim to exploitation due to non-procedural migration.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1946840/migrant-care-criticizes-special-passport-plan-for-migrant-worker