The government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asks all Indonesian Representatives to monitor and analyze government/authority policies in the destination countries regarding the handling and prevention of COVID-19 and the reopening of work opportunities for Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI).

The Minister of Manpower, Ida Fauziyah, said that this was supported by the issuance of the Decree of the Director General of Binapenta and PKK regarding the determination of certain destination countries for PMI during the adaptation period of new habits as mandated by Kepmenaker No. 294 of 2020 concerning the implementation of PMI placement during the adaptation period of new habits.

"So far we have tried to give the best to Indonesian Migrant Workers. In adapting to new habits, the placement of prospective migrant workers does require various procedures. For quarantine, we are in the process so that it can be facilitated by the Government. It must be finalized because it is related to the budget," said Ida in a written statement, Friday (17/9/2021).

In addition, for PMI abroad, efforts to accelerate vaccination for CPMI/PMI and overseas apprentices will also continue to be carried out in line with the reopening of the placement country.

"The Ministry of Manpower continues to hold talks with destination countries, we also continue to monitor and analyze the reopening of work opportunities for Indonesian migrant workers," added Ida.

The government is also pushing for a plan to disburse existing P3MI Deposit Funds related to PMI placement in coordination with related Ministries/Agencies, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and BP2MI (PEA Countries, Kuwait, Qatar, Germany, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam).

"We are increasing the intensity of the discussion of the MoU draft with potential countries for placement with various schemes, then we also continue to empower and strengthen Manpower Attaches in the placement countries," concluded Ida.

Furthermore, the government provides efforts to protect PMI abroad by providing various advice, such as taking vaccinations in the destination country, always obeying health procedures when leaving the house, not going home, submitting information updates regarding PMI conditions in the country of placement, to assistance in providing masks to various countries. , such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Brunei Darussalam.

For countries that implement lockdowns, the government makes efforts such as communicating with users and agencies, with regulations for PMIs who run out of contracts to be assisted/facilitated to stay, and PMIs who don't work due to lockdown are still paid according to the rules.

In addition, an approach with the employer (company) is also carried out that allows PMI to be given a choice of working hours, continue to receive wages/salaries according to the rules or agreements of the parties, to ensure that the company determines the process according to WHO standards.

For PMIs who have finished work and will return to their homeland, the government will coordinate with the relevant countries to handle the repatriation/return of PMIs to their areas of origin.

This coordination is also carried out by the Ministry of Health as a form of request for a health check at the Indonesian debarkation. In addition, the Government also provides assistance in empowering workers through business incubation programs and self-employment for PMI who have returned home.