Indonesia Sends 200 Skilled Migrant Workers to Japan Under Global Talent Program

RRI.CO.ID, Tangerang - Coordinating Community Empowerment Minister Muhaimin Iskandar has officially dispatched 200 skilled Indonesian migrant workers to Japan, marking the nation’s effort to prepare “Global Indonesian Talent”.

The departure, held on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, is part of the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) scheme and linked to the government’s SMK Go Global initiative, a national program designed to prepare Indonesian vocational high school (SMK) graduates to become globally competitive talent.

“This first stage involves more than 200 workers. Tonight, around 50 are leaving for Japan with five-year contracts,” Muhaimin said.

He emphasized that the program reflects President Prabowo Subianto’s directive following a cabinet meeting in November 2025, highlighting the importance of equipping Indonesian youth with international-standard skills.

The initiative is supported by state-owned enterprises through CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funding, serving as a pilot before the program expands into a regular scheme. Of the 200 workers, 50 were facilitated by PT Angkasa Pura, 30 by PT Kereta Api Indonesia, and 120 through Indonesian Migrant Worker Placement Companies (P3MI).

Minister Muhaimin stressed that the program is designed to produce globally competitive human resources while representing the quality of Indonesia’s workforce abroad.

“Today’s departure proves that SMK Go Global is key to opening access and expanding Indonesia’s labor presence overseas. We want our talent to compete and seize opportunities in the international job market,” he said.

Deputy Minister of Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection, Dzulfikar Ahmad Tawalla, noted that Japan remains a favored destination due to its strong placement ecosystem. He acknowledged language proficiency as a major challenge, requiring five to six months of intensive training to pass certification.

“Japanese is considered one of the world’s most difficult languages. Beyond that, workers must adapt to Japan’s seasonal climate and maintain strong physical endurance,” he added.

The program aims to place workers in manufacturing and technical sectors, with a long-term target of training and deploying up to 500,000 skilled Indonesian migrant workers, in line with President Prabowo’s directive.

Minister Muhaimin reminded departing workers to uphold integrity, professionalism, and respect for local laws and culture, while managing their finances wisely for a better future.

He also called on ministries, agencies, and Indonesian representatives abroad to ensure maximum protection and continuous skill development for Indonesian migrant workers. “Migrant workers are not only contributing abroad but will also become agents of economic transformation when they return home,” he said.

The SMK Go Global program is envisioned as a strategic bridge, preparing Indonesian workers not only to be job-ready but also to meet international competency standards, adapt to global work cultures, and strengthen Indonesia’s long-term prosperity. (Sri Wahyuni/Lasti Martina)