Indonesian migrant workers are the second-biggest contributors to the nation's foreign exchange, adding Rp159.6 trillion (around US$10.20 billion) annually, head of the Indonesian Migrant Workers' Protection Agency (BP2MI), Benny Rhamdani, has said.

He made the statement during a briefing in Jakarta on Thursday for 1,500 prospective Indonesian migrant workers scheduled to leave for South Korea.

So far, the BP2MI has readied fast routes at airports as well as special lounges for migrant workers as a form of respect for them.

According to Rhamdani, one of the reasons the 1,500 people chose to work in South Korea was higher salaries.

"The average standard salary in South Korea reaches Rp23 million (US$1,469) to Rp30 million (US$1,917) if they work overtime and get a bonus. This is much higher than the minimum salary in Indonesia," he explained.

According to him, every year, Indonesia has been increasing the quota for migrant workers headed to South Korea.

"We have increased the quota from 7 thousand per year, and in 2022, we succeeded in increasing the quota by twofold, namely to almost 12 thousand," he informed.

The agency will also increase the dissemination of information regarding work opportunities abroad while preparing workers' competency as well as protection.

According to Rhamdani, the 1,500 prospective migrant workers who will leave for South Korea are dominated by residents of Java island. On average, they will work in the manufacturing and fisheries sectors.

According to data from the BP2MI, during the period from January to October 2023, the number of Indonesian migrant worker placements was recorded at 237,992.

In October alone, there were 22,011 placements. Of the number, the formal sector still dominated with 13,086 placements, while in the informal sector, there were 8,925 placements.

Source:

by ANTARA news

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