The financial protection of Indonesian migrant workers and its economic consequences

The Indonesian Migrant Worker Placement Service mandates Law Number 18 of 2017, which aims to reduce the departure of illegal and unprotected Indonesian Migrant Workers (IMW). This study aims to describe the problem of job placement and financial protection of Indonesian migrant workers as well as its economic consequences. This study uses a descriptive method with an in-depth case study. The research was conducted in the provinces of Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) and Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT). The research area was chosen because both regions have a bad record in many IMW cases outside Java. The data were obtained using observation and interviews with the authorities in the city/district government agencies. Data analysis using Miles and Huberman is done by data reduction, tabulation, presentation, and conclusion. The results show that the government’s one-stop integrated service (LTSA) has not reached all prospective migrant workers from NTB and NTT. The limitations of LTSA are influenced by technical factors, budget, and insufficient human resources. The research results are expected to provide an overview of the relevant parties always to prevent or suppress illegal IMW, which is the responsibility of the State. So that cases of violence against illegal IMW can be avoided.