Strengthening Migrant CARE: A Comprehensive Approach to Ensure Worker Protection and Safeguard the Rights of Indonesian Migrants

Abstract

Objective: Indonesia consistently sends Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) overseas as part of a policy to expand job opportunities despite numerous vulnerable cases. These instances range from workers not being paid their due wages to cases of violence, some of which tragically culminate in death. Economic conditions stand out as significant among the factors contributing to this situation. These conditions often serve as an attraction for the workers, highlighting the complexity of the issue. Ensuring the protection of migrant workers is also vital for the government, self-sustaining community institutions, and non-governmental organizations. This shows that the realization of worker rights protection requires urgent collaboration with various entities, such as Migrant CARE, a non-governmental organization actively contributing to the government's efforts in protecting migrant workers. Methodology: Therefore, this study aims to determine the role of Migrant CARE as a non-governmental agency in protecting workers, using a qualitative methodology through literature studies and documentation. Findings: The results showed that Migrant CARE played a role in the protection of migrant workers through their patterns as creators and channels of knowledge via the analysis conducted on the issue of safety. This organization actively criticized government policies and contributed to the provision of public services through advocacy and policy implementation. Implications/Value: It also suggested that the Indonesian government should strengthen the existing regulations related to the protection of migrant workers for a more comprehensive and accessible approach to resolving the issues encountered by migrant workers.