New PROTECT project supports women migrant workers and children in Indonesia

JAKARTA (Joint Press Release) – The European Union (EU) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is launching a new initiative called ‘PROTECT’ today (14/5), which aims to strengthen the rights of women migrant workers, children, and at-risk groups in Indonesia.

The three-year PROTECT project will promote decent work and reduce vulnerabilities of those at risk by ensuring labour rights, preventing, and responding to violence against women and children, human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

Presided over by Ida Fauziyah, Indonesian Minister of Manpower, the launch of the PROTECT project is conducted in Lapangan Banteng, Jakarta. In addition to a performance depicting by women migrant workers and a consultative workshop, the launch presents an exhibition demonstrating a labour migration pathway throughout the migration cycles from prior to migration, during migration and after migration.  

In 2023 alone, more than 270,000 Indonesian migrated abroad, with more than half (61 percent) comprising women. These women predominantly seek employment in domestic work, care work, agriculture, plantation and manufacturing industries in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia. However, a considerable number of Indonesian migrants particularly those in Malaysia, are migrating through irregular channels.

Consequently, Indonesian migrants, particularly those engaged in low wage occupations, face many challenges, including labour exploitation, discriminatory laws and practices, human trafficking, violence, harassment, and limited access to essential services. Women migrant workers are also more likely to end up in informal sectors where they often encounter short-term employment opportunities and minimal social protection measures. Additionally, children accompanying migrant workers face a high risk of abuse, exploitation, trafficking and inadequate access to child protection services.

Ida Fauziyah, Minister of Manpower, greatly welcomes this new initiative to enhance national capacities and mechanisms for policy implementation, service provision and prevention efforts. “Indonesia is committed to improve its policies and labour migration governances to better protect its migrant workers, particularly women. We have established the integrated gender responsiveness-one roof services offices in four districts. Thus, through the Protect initiative, we can continue working together to support the priority of the Indonesian government to protect its migrants and their families and to achieve the goals of Sustainable Development (SDGs).”

Denis Chaibi, Ambassador of the European Union to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam said, "Globally, people leave home seeking better opportunities, yet women migrant workers and children face increased risks during transit and at their destinations. Today marks a crucial step forward in our joint commitment to safeguarding the rights of Indonesian women and children in the realm of labour migration by promoting sustainable migration policies. Together with Indonesia and other partner countries in the region, we endeavour to cultivate enduring opportunities for dignified work while mitigating the vulnerabilities faced by women and children.”

Noting the significance of the new project to Indonesia, Simrin Singh, ILO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, said, “Labour migration is a driver of economic and social development in countries of origin and destination, benefiting migrant workers, communities and employers alike. Migration governance policies and approaches need to be gender responsive, more inclusive and in line with international labour standards if we are to provide the protection and access to decent work that migrants deserve, a critical element of social justice and this project precisely focuses on these critical elements.”

“To break the cycle of exploitation and abuse, the protection of victims of trafficking and smuggled migrants before and during the criminal justice process is critical. Under this new project, UNODC will build on its work with law enforcement and justice counterparts in the region, ensuring that victims’ rights continue to be upheld and criminals held to account,” stated Erik van der Veen, Head of UNODC Indonesia

The PROTECT project, which runs until December 2026, builds on the results and lessons learnt from two preceding EU-funded projects: ‘Safe and Fair: Realizing women migrant workers’ rights and opportunities in the ASEAN region’, which was implemented by ILO and UN Women, in collaboration with UNODC from 2018 to 2023 and ‘Protecting Children Affected by Migration in Southeast, South and Central Asia’ implemented by UNICEF from 2018 to 2022.  

For more information, please contact:
Sinthia Harkrisnowo  
ILO’s Coordinator of PROTECT Project in Indonesia
sinthia@ilo.org 

Gita F. Lingga  
Senior Communications and Information Management Assistant
gita@ilo.org