Antara News·Indonesia·Monday, October 5, 2026 at 10:56 PM UTC

Indonesia stops 6,555 migrant workers from illegal deployments

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Katriana, Yashinta Difa

Protection of migrant workers does not start when they are abroad; protection starts before they leave,

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers has intercepted 6,555 prospective migrant workers attempting to go abroad through illegal, non-procedural channels during the first two-year period of President Prabowo Subianto's administration.

Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers Mukhtarudin disclosed the figures, highlighting the government's intervention efforts spanning from October 2024 through October 5, 2026.

"In the period from October 2024 to October 5, 2026, we recorded 6,555 prospective Indonesian migrant workers in the prevention category," Mukhtarudin told ANTARA in Jakarta on Monday (October 5).

Beyond pre-departure interventions, the ministry managed 51,460 repatriation cases over the two-year period. This included facilitating the safe return of 43,671 distressed migrant workers and coordinating the repatriation of 1,234 deceased workers back to Indonesia.

Mukhtarudin emphasized that state protection for migrant workers must be comprehensive, safeguarding workers through every phase of employment—from pre-departure preparation to active active deployment abroad, and safe return home.

"Protection of migrant workers does not start when they are abroad; protection starts before they leave,” the minister stressed.

“Therefore, we continue to strengthen prevention so that people do not become victims of non-procedural placement," Mukhtarudin added.

The interception of 6,555 prospective workers was conducted through inter-agency coordination involving local governments, law enforcement officers and relevant authorities at strategic departure points across the archipelago.

Prospective workers stopped at points of origin or transit were provided with assistance and safely returned to their home provinces.

"Prevention is the earliest form of protection. When we succeed in preventing someone from taking a non-procedural route, we prevent the potential for bigger problems in the future," Mukhtarudin concluded.

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