Indonesia’s Migrant Workers Get New Protection: Cooperatives

Indonesia’s Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) is pushing a new strategy to safeguard its citizens working abroad. The plan focuses on promoting cooperatives for migrant workers, aiming to give them more financial security and legal support. By organizing workers into cooperatives, the government hopes to reduce exploitation and improve access to savings, loans, and legal aid. The initiative targets the millions of Indonesians employed overseas, many of whom face risks such as unpaid wages or contract violations. KP2MI officials say the cooperatives will serve as a collective bargaining tool, helping workers negotiate better terms. No specific timeline or funding details were provided, but the ministry confirmed it is working with local agencies to launch the program.