TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A collaborative project between the Indonesian government and United Nations (UN) agencies has achieved critical outcomes in the area of migrant governance, the UN said in a statement.

The Migration Governance for Sustainable Development programme made significant strides in strengthening gender-responsive migration governance by developing ten studies, establishing governance indicators, conducting targeted training, and facilitating dialogues at national and local levels.

The project has also advanced protection efforts and enhanced the criminal justice system for women migrant workers, with these elements integrated into the upcoming national medium-term development plan (RPJMN) 2025-2029. Additionally, the project has improved the capacity of local governments in three provinces and five cities/regencies, training over 3,000 stakeholders to manage and leverage migration for development. Moreover, three innovative financing initiatives and gender-responsive economic empowerment programs have been developed to support migrant workers in boosting their economic capacity.

Penny Herasati, Director for Socio-Cultural Affairs and International Organization of Developing Countries at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated: "Migration is a choice, driven by an individual's need to improve capacity and well-being. For those who choose to migrate, adequate skills and knowledge are a must. The government always strives to strengthen cross-sectoral coordination in migration governance, including through training and socialization, so that Indonesian citizens migrate through well-managed procedures."

Gita Sabharwal, Resident Coordinator for the United Nations in Indonesia, emphasized the importance of continuing these efforts: “As we move forward, it is crucial that we build on these achievements and ensure that migration policies and practices evolve to meet new challenges. The National Symposium is a great opportunity for us to reinforce Indonesia’s position as a champion country for the GCM (Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration) in support of migration governance.”

The Migration Governance for Sustainable Development programme, a collaborative initiative involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Indonesia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and UN Women, supported by the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MMPTF), is celebrating the culmination of two years of significant progress with a National Symposium.

Migration often becomes the only viable option for Indonesians with limited opportunities at home. The UN noted that in 2023, the number of Indonesians working abroad surged by 36.95% from the previous year, with a significant proportion being women working in informal sectors. These opportunities come with substantial risks, including irregular placement, gender-based violence, trafficking in persons, fraud, and exploitative working conditions.

Looking ahead, the project will officially launch two innovative tools to further support migrant workers: the Chat Bot Feature, an additional feature to complement the existing Safe Travel app, allowing women migrant workers quick access to seek help in cases of violence, and the Juang Mobile Application, a financial management app to help migrants manage their expenses effectively, expected to benefit over 3 million Indonesian migrants. These innovations mark a significant step forward in ensuring the safety, well-being, and empowerment of Indonesian migrants globally.

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