RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is moving to expand overseas job opportunities for its migrant workers by exploring formal labor agreements with Bulgaria and Albania, following high-level virtual talks held on Monday, January 26, 2026, to map sector-specific demand and strengthen worker protection mechanisms.

Deputy Migrant Workers Protection Minister Christina Aryani said the opportunities remain open despite political uncertainties in Bulgaria. Her remarks followed an online meeting on Monday, January 26, with Indonesian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Albania, and North Macedonia, Listiana Operananta.

“We received a briefing from the Indonesian Embassy in Sofia indicating that although Bulgaria’s government is currently unstable, opportunities for Indonesian migrant workers remain available,” Deputy Minister Christina said in an official statement released by the ministry, as quoted by Antara.

According to her, demand in Bulgaria is particularly strong in the hospitality and manufacturing sectors. In hospitality alone, the need for Indonesian workers during the tourist season is estimated at around 700 to 800 people.

“There are also opportunities for two- to three-year contracts in hospitality positions such as front office staff, housekeeping, cleaners, and therapists,” she said.

Beyond hospitality, she noted growing potential in the manufacturing sector, driven by planned investment from South Korean companies preparing to build automotive factories in Bulgaria.

“A Korean company is expected to open a factory, which will require a large workforce. We want to explore these opportunities more intensively, so Indonesia does not miss out,” she said, adding that Indonesia has extensive experience in deploying skilled workers to South Korea, including those with specialized technical skills and language proficiency.

She also highlighted Bulgaria’s interest in formalizing cooperation. Bulgarian Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Borislav Gutsanov, has expressed strong support for establishing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indonesia.

“The ambassador conveyed that the Bulgarian labor minister is very enthusiastic about forming an MoU with Indonesia. Technical communications are already underway to prepare an initial draft, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” she continued.

In parallel, Indonesia is also preparing a separate MoU with Albania. Deputy Minister Christina stressed that negotiations with Albania must include stricter provisions, particularly related to migrant worker protection.

“For Albania, we are pushing for a more rigid MoU, as sensitivity toward migrant worker protection issues has not been optimal. Some cases involving Indonesian workers were not proactively reported, requiring the embassy to intervene directly,” she explained.

She emphasized that MoUs are crucial to ensuring the safe, orderly, and protected placement of Indonesian migrant workers, including reducing placement costs and ensuring job conditions match contractual agreements.

As a follow-up, she added, Indonesia plans to hold another online meeting with the Bulgarian deputy labor minister once the technical framework of the MoU is agreed upon by both sides. ***