Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) aims for its SMK Go Global vocational program to boost brain circulation, or the reciprocal movement of skilled workers from host countries back to Indonesia.
Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers Mukhtarudin said on Wednesday that brain circulation creates a talent pool with global-standard competencies, professional experience, and work ethics.
This, in turn, enables returning workers to make greater contributions to national development.
“Many former migrant workers who have completed their overseas contracts return home to establish micro-enterprises or pursue better career opportunities in Indonesia,” Mukhtarudin said in Jakarta.
To ensure the smooth and sustainable implementation of the program, the ministry has adopted an eight-point strategic framework, which is conceptually divided into five implementation strategies and three ultimate goals.
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The five implementation strategies include enhancing human resource quality to meet global labor market demands; and ensuring prospective migrant workers utilize legal and safe employment routes.
Furthermore, the strategies also focus on securing high-quality and demand-driven overseas positions; improving the welfare of workers’ families while boosting the country’s foreign exchange reserves; as well as maintaining professional, transparent, and integrated program management.
Meanwhile, the program’s three ultimate goals encompass positive social impacts, such as increased employment opportunities; the development of a highly professional workforce; and economic growth driven by remittances.
“The ministry is optimistic that the SMK Go Global program will serve as a catalyst for producing top-tier talent, expanding safe employment opportunities for skilled workers, and strengthening the nation’s competitiveness toward the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision,” Mukhtarudin remarked.
He emphasized that the framework represents the government’s commitment to optimizing the deployment of migrant workers to develop globally competitive human resources.
“This is precisely what we mean by brain circulation,” he added.
The government aims to facilitate overseas employment for 500 thousand talented Indonesians between 2026 and 2029 through the program. This figure comprises 300 thousand vocational high school (SMK) graduates and 200 thousand individuals from the general public.
To achieve these targets, the ministry plans to train and deploy 40 thousand prospective migrant workers in 2026; 140 thousand in 2027; 180 thousand in 2028; and 140 thousand in 2029.
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Reporter: Uyu Septiyati Liman
Editor: Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak
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