Indonesia's New Migrant Worker Protection Framework: PERPRES 165 & 166/2024

Executive Summary

On November 5, 2024, Indonesia enacted two presidential regulations restructuring institutional arrangements for Indonesian migrant worker protection. Presidential Regulation No. 165 of 2024 (PERPRES 165/2024) establishes the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI). Presidential Regulation No. 166 of 2024 (PERPRES 166/2024) creates the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP2MI). Both regulations supersede PERPRES 90/2019.

Background

Indonesia's migrant worker protection was previously managed by BP2MI under PERPRES 90/2019. Law No. 61 of 2024 amended Law No. 39 of 2008 on State Ministries, providing legal authority to create a dedicated ministry for migrant worker protection. The new regulations took effect on November 5, 2024.

Key Provisions

Ministry Structure (PERPRES 165/2024)

Pasal 1 Ayat 1: Definition of Ministry

"Kementerian Pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia yang selanjutnya disebut Kementerian adalah kementerian yang menyelenggarakan suburusan pemerintahan pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia yang merupakan lingkup dari urusan pemerintahan di bidang ketenagakerjaan."

The Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) is responsible for government affairs related to protection of Indonesian migrant workers, falling under the labor affairs domain.

Pasal 3 Ayat 1: Definition of Indonesian Migrant Workers

"Pekerja Migran Indonesia yang selanjutnya disingkat PMI adalah setiap warga negara Indonesia yang akan, sedang, atau telah melakukan pekerjaan dengan menerima upah di luar wilayah Republik Indonesia."

Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) are Indonesian citizens who will, are currently, or have performed work for wages outside Indonesia. This definition covers prospective, current, and returned migrant workers.

Pasal 7: Organizational Structure

The Ministry consists of:
- Secretary General Office
- Directorate General for Promotion and Utilization of Foreign Employment Opportunities
- Directorate General for Placement
- Directorate General for Protection
- Directorate General for Empowerment
- Inspector General Office
- Expert Staff for Digital Transformation
- Expert Staff for Inter-Agency Relations

Pasal 6: Ministry Functions

"Dalam melaksanakan tugas sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 5, Kementerian menyelenggarakan fungsi: a. perumusan dan penetapan kebijakan di bidang promosi dan pemanfaatan peluang kerja luar negeri, penempatan PMI, pelindungan PMI, dan pemberdayaan PMI; b. pelaksanaan kebijakan di bidang promosi dan pemanfaatan peluang kerja luar negeri, penempatan PMI, pelindungan PMI, dan pemberdayaan PMI..."

The Ministry formulates and implements policy for promotion, placement, protection, and empowerment of Indonesian migrant workers. It provides technical guidance to regional governments and coordinates administrative support across organizational units.

Agency Structure (PERPRES 166/2024)

Pasal 1 Ayat 1: Definition of BP2MI

"Badan Pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia yang selanjutnya disingkat BP2MI adalah lembaga Pemerintah Non Kementerian yang melaksanakan tugas pemerintahan di bidang pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia."

BP2MI is a non-ministerial government institution responsible for implementing government tasks in Indonesian migrant worker protection.

Pasal 4 Ayat 1: BP2MI Functions

BP2MI implements fifteen functions including:
- Implementing placement and protection policy
- Providing service and protection to migrant workers
- Issuing and revoking recruitment permits
- Supervising social security services
- Fulfilling migrant worker rights
- Verifying employment documents
- Managing government-to-government placement agreements
- Coordinating protection with Indonesian representatives abroad
- Facilitating repatriation and reintegration of returned workers
- Providing social and economic empowerment programs

Pasal 19 Ayat 1: Funding

"Sumber daya BP2MI yang berupa pendanaan bersumber dari Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Negara."

BP2MI is funded through the State Budget (APBN). All services to migrant workers are provided at no cost.

Pasal 5 Ayat 1: Leadership Structure

"Susunan organisasi BP2MI terdiri atas: a. Kepala yang dijabat oleh Menteri Pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia; b. Wakil Kepala yang dijabat oleh Wakil Menteri Pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia; c. Susunan unit organisasi eselon I teknis menggunakan susunan organisasi eselon I pada Kementerian Pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia yang tugas dan fungsinya bersesuaian."

The Minister of Migrant Worker Protection serves as Head of BP2MI. The Deputy Minister serves as Vice Head. BP2MI's technical units align with the Ministry's organizational structure.

Implementation

For Indonesian Migrant Workers

Workers receive free access to:
- Government protection services
- Document verification
- Pre-departure orientation
- In-country support through embassies
- Post-return reintegration programs

For Recruitment Companies

BP2MI issues and revokes recruitment permits. Companies must:
- Maintain transparent fee structures
- Use government-approved employment contracts
- Facilitate worker access to social security
- Comply with placement regulations

Non-compliance results in permit revocation.

For Government Agencies

The Ministry provides technical guidance to regional governments. BP2MI coordinates with Indonesian embassies and consulates for in-country protection including legal assistance, dispute resolution, and repatriation services.

Timeline

Both regulations took effect on November 5, 2024. PERPRES 165/2024 and PERPRES 166/2024 supersede PERPRES 90/2019. Existing officials continue in their roles until new positions are formally established. The Ministry and Agency must develop operational guidelines within six months.

Conclusion

PERPRES 165/2024 establishes the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) as a cabinet-level institution. PERPRES 166/2024 maintains BP2MI as an operational agency. The Ministry formulates policy while BP2MI implements services. All government services are provided to workers at no cost, funded through the State Budget. The regulations cover pre-departure preparation, during-employment protection, and post-return reintegration.

Official Source

This article analyzes Presidential Regulation No. 165 of 2024 concerning the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PERPRES 165/2024) and Presidential Regulation No. 166 of 2024 concerning the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (PERPRES 166/2024).

The official regulation texts can be accessed at:

Primary Sources:
- PERPRES No. 165 Tahun 2024 - BPK Regulation Portal
- PERPRES No. 166 Tahun 2024 - BPK Regulation Portal

Alternative Sources:
- JDIH Sekretariat Kabinet
- Kementerian Pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia

Official Gazette:
- PERPRES 165/2024: Lembaran Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 2024 Nomor 361
- PERPRES 166/2024: Lembaran Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 2024 Nomor 362

Disclaimer

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