Jakarta finally lift ban, allows workers to take up jobs in MENA region

Indonesia has lifted the four month ban on its workers due to coronavirus pandemic and is now permitting to send its over 90,000 migrant workers to various overseas countries, including ones in MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.

Migrant workers can commence leaving Indonesia within few weeks once Manpower Ministry releases guidelines regarding the country’s protocols in place due to coronavirus pandemic.

In order to boost the national economic recovery and considering that several countries have reopened to foreign workers, we think it is necessary to allow Indonesian migrant workers to work in destination countries, while complying with health protocols

Indonesia Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah

This move is set to boost Indonesia’s economy. The minister said that as workers return to work in these countries, it is set to generate revenue of approximately 3.8 trillion rupiahs. The remittances can boost country’s economy, especially in their hometown regions. Fauziyah further said that the decision to lift ban on sending workers to overseas countries was taken post consultation with the Indonesian embassies in other countries and domestic stakeholders.

Countries of interest by Indonesian government include UAE, Qatar, Zambia, Algeria, Australia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Kuwait, Maldives, Nigeria, Poland, Taiwan, Turkey, and Zimbabwe. These countries have also shown interest in bringing back the migrant workers from Indonesia.