Indonesia strengthens its integrated gender responsiveness fair recruitment and inspection at national and subnational level

JAKARTA, Indonesia (Joint Press Release) – The Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers in collaboration with the European Union (EU), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Migrant Worker Network (JBM) and the Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo ) jointly organize a Multi-Stakeholder Workshop for the Implementation of Gender Responsiveness Fair Recruitment and Inspection. This workshop serves as the launch of a series of capacity-building activities in four provinces of East Java, Lampung, North Sumatra and East Nusa Tenggara.

These four provinces will serve as pilot areas to showcase best practices in providing better protection to Indonesian migrant workers at every stage of migration through improved gender-responsive labour migration governance, utilizing integrated fair recruitment practice, inspection, and protection systems at the national, provincial and district level.

These four pilot provinces will strengthen our quality coordinated effort that are consistent with internationally recognized human rights and other relevant international standards in both origin and destination countries.

Abdul Kadir Karding, Minister of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers

Held at the historical Museum Sumpah Pemuda in Jakarta on 17 March, the kicking-off workshop is presided over by Abdul Kadir Karding, Minister of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers. The workshop aims to strengthen multi-stakeholders’ cooperation to mitigate the risks of human trafficking, forced labour and violence against women migrant workers throughout the migration cycle, specifically at recruitment and deployment phase. As part of the workshop, the ILO's toolkit on gender-responsive fair recruitment is handed over by the Minister Abdul Kadir to the Head of Private Placement Agencies Association.

Abdul Kadir Karding, Minister of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, greatly welcomes the joint effort to enhance professionalism and good corporate governance of Private Placement Agencies through in applying the gender responsiveness fair recruitment principles and due diligence instrument “Indonesia is committed to improve its gender responsiveness fair recruitment implementation and labour migration governances to better protect its migrant workers, particularly women. These four pilot provinces will strengthen our quality coordinated effort that are consistent with internationally recognized human rights and other relevant international standards in both origin and destination countries.”

Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, Chairperson of APINDO, highlighted that upholding the Code of Ethics for Private Placement Agencies represents a profound moral and social obligation, going beyond mere regulatory compliance. "By ensuring fair recruitment practices and adopting gender-responsive oversight, businesses can bolster their credibility and ensure long-term sustainability on both national and global levels while protecting the rights of migrant workers,” she stated. “The establishment of APINDO's New Committee on Migrants reflects our commitment to improving labour standards adherence among private placement agencies through the principles of gender responsiveness, fair recruitment, and Responsible Business Conduct."

Savitri Wisnuwardhani, a team leader from the National Secretary of JBM for this joint research, presented initial findings from a gap analysis between policies and practices in gender-responsive recruitment. She highlighted that approximately 67 percent of Indonesian migrant workers, predominantly women working as domestic workers, are excluded from labour laws in many destination countries. This leaves them vulnerable to fraudulent recruitment practices, such as debt bondage, document withholding, intimidation, excessive fees, misinformation, and, ultimately, risks of trafficking and forced labour.

By ensuring fair recruitment practices and adopting gender-responsive oversight, businesses can bolster their credibility and ensure long-term sustainability on both national and global levels while protecting the rights of migrant workers.

Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, Chairperson of Apindo

To continuously support the effort taken by Indonesia, Denis Chaibi, Ambassador of the European Union to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam said, “As people migrate in search of better opportunities, women and children often face greater risks. The EU is committed to partnering with Indonesia to ensure fair and ethical recruitment practices that protect migrant workers. Together, we can transform labour migration into a force for good, empowering individuals and strengthening communities.”

Meanwhile, Simrin Singh, ILO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, emphasized the support of the ILO given through its PROTECT project, promoting 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. “The ILO is pleased with the commitment of Indonesia to be gender responsive, more inclusive and in line with international labour standards, particularly the ILO’s General Principles and Guidelines for Fair Recruitment and Definition of Recruitment Fees and Related Costs. This effort aims to ensure the protection and access to decent work that migrants rightfully deserve, which is a vital aspect of social justice and a key focus for Indonesia."

For more information, please contact:
Sinthia Harkrisnowo
ILO Coordinator of PROTECT Project in Indonesia
[email protected]

Gita Lingga
ILO Senior Information and Communications Management Assistant
[email protected]