Indonesia Seeks Skilled Worker Opportunities in Singapore

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is seeking more skilled job opportunities in Singapore to better match Indonesian workers with overseas labor demand while preparing their competencies before placement.

Deputy Minister of Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection (P2MI) Christina Aryani asked the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Singapore to identify and explore potential skilled-worker opportunities for Indonesian workers.

Christina made the request during a meeting with Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Hotmangaradja Pandjaitan and officials from the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

"We hope the ambassador and the Indonesian Embassy team can continue exploring skilled job opportunities in Singapore. Information about labor needs is important for us so that we can prepare the necessary competencies in Indonesia before the placement process," Christina said in a statement on Wednesday, September 16, as quoted by Antara.

Christina explained that the approach is in line with the demand-driven concept under President Prabowo Subianto's SMK Go Global program.

The program aims to prepare human resources based on labor market needs, ensuring that training provided in Indonesia is precisely aligned with the requirements of destination countries and businesses.

"It is not only about opening markets but also ensuring that the workers we send have competencies that match the needs. This way, the placement process can run better and provide benefits for migrant workers as well as destination countries," she said.

In addition to developing skilled job opportunities, the meeting also discussed the general conditions of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) in Singapore and efforts to strengthen protection for workers facing legal problems.

Christina also expressed her appreciation for the performance of the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore in providing services. She specifically asked the embassy to provide assistance and monitor the legal proceedings faced by an Indonesian migrant worker with the initials MIS.

"We hope the Indonesian Embassy will continue to be present in assisting migrant workers who face legal problems. Protection must be carried out comprehensively, including ensuring they have access to the necessary assistance and legal proceedings," she stressed.

To strengthen coordination and handling in the field, Christina said the ministry would, for the first time, place a labor technical staff member at the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore. She expressed hope that the technical staff member would work effectively with embassy officials to optimize services and protection for Indonesian migrant workers. ***