Indonesia Highlights 3 Priorities to Protect ASEAN Migrant Workers During Crises

RRI.CO.ID, Bangkok – Indonesia emphasized three priorities to ensure that migrant workers and their families continue to receive protection when a crisis occurs in the ASEAN region. These three priorities include preparedness for emergencies, cross-sectoral coordination, and recovery and reintegration after workers return to their home countries.

“The current priority is to ensure that the framework we have developed can provide tangible protection when a crisis actually occurs,” Minister of Manpower Yassierli emphasized at the 29th ASEAN Labor Ministers’ Meeting (ALMM) in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

According to the Minister, public health emergencies, natural disasters, conflicts, and other disruptions underscore the importance of being prepared to protect migrant workers. It is not enough for the established framework to simply exist; it must also be capable of being implemented quickly and effectively when an emergency arises.

To that end, Indonesia is advocating for three key measures to strengthen the protection of ASEAN migrant workers. First, establishing a cooperation framework that can be immediately activated when a crisis arises. This preparedness requires clear coordination, consular cooperation, and information sharing so that ASEAN countries can act swiftly in emergency situations.

Crisis management cannot be handled by a single sector alone, as it impacts many areas—from foreign affairs to health and security. Therefore, second, Indonesia advocates for cross-sectoral cooperation with various ASEAN bodies to ensure a more integrated approach to emergency response.

The third area that needs to be strengthened is ensuring protection for migrant workers returning from crisis-affected areas, particularly in meeting their basic living needs upon their return. In Indonesia, this is being carried out through the Geopolitical Crisis Monitoring Task Force for emergency evacuations, as well as through cooperation with the ILO to help them secure sustainable livelihoods.

“Therefore, ASEAN cooperation must encompass emergency protection, safe return, recovery, rehabilitation, and sustainable reintegration,” the Minister said.