Indonesia has dispatched 200 migrant workers specializing in the manufacturing sector to Japan under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) scheme. The departure was announced on Friday by Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten.
Minister Iskandar emphasized that this initiative highlights the effectiveness of the “SMK Go Global” program in expanding opportunities for Indonesian workers within the international labor market. The program is part of a wider national strategy designed to facilitate global workforce access.
He further stated that President Prabowo Subianto has prioritized this program, following instructions issued during a cabinet meeting held on November 5, 2025. This initial phase serves as a pilot project, supported by Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding from state-owned enterprises, with plans for refinement before its full-scale implementation.
The minister highlighted the program’s aim to equip Indonesian professionals with the skills needed to compete globally and uphold the national workforce’s reputation. He reiterated that migrant workers are a national priority for achieving sustained welfare, expressing hope that they will become agents of economic transformation upon their return, contributing to domestic industries with their acquired global knowledge, work culture, and networks.
The dispatch of the 200 workers involved various schemes: 50 individuals were facilitated through PT Angkasa Pura’s CSR program, 30 through PT Kereta Api Indonesia’s CSR program, and the remaining 120 were sent via licensed migrant worker placement agencies (P3MI). The government affirmed its commitment to protecting and supporting these workers.
Source: Original
