Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) in collaboration with the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union Confederation (KSBSI ) as ITUC affiliation and Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia (SBMI), organized the launch of the Migrant Recruitment Advisor (MRA) and the Hamsa complaints mechanism on 26 November 2018. The launch in Jakarta consisted of 40 participants who are returnee migrant workers, migrants’ groups, trade unions, media, lawyers, non-government organizations come from about 8 different provinces such as East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), East Java, Central Java, Banten, Jakarta, Lampung as well as from Pontianak in Borneo Island.

Government officials responsible for migrant workers placement and protection, represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labor and also the National Body of Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (BNP2TKI) were also present at the launch.

Mr. Soes Hindharno, the Head of Public Relations Bureau, Indonesian Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Mr Lalu M. Iqbal the Director of Legal Aid (BHI) and citizen Protection, Indonesian Foreign Ministry, Mr Hariyanto the chair of SBMI, Mrs Sulistri the Deputy Chairperson of KSBSI spoke at the opening of the launch. This was followed by a skype presentation from a representative of the International Trade Union Congress (ITUC) Brussels office.

An overview of the MRA was provided by KSBSI. The representative explained how MRA worked and its potential to help migrant workers find ethical recruiters and eliminate abusive recruitment practices. Aside from reviewing private recruitment agencies MRA also provides migrants with information on policies and programs for migrant workers, and support mechanisms available for Indonesian migrant workers.

The MRA overview was followed by a presentation on the Hamsa Complaints mechanism, presented by SBMI. Hamsa as an online complaints mechanism aims to be able to reach out to migrant communities who have experienced abuse in the recruitment process. It also serves as a tool for CSOs to document human rights abuses against migrant workers.

Government officials present at the launch welcomed the initiative of MRA and Hamsa. With a system of two websites, they hoped that it can improve the management of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) and connect with the One-Stop Integrated Service (LTSA) by Ministry of Manpower. Mr. Soes Hindharno said that the system on the MRA website does not conflict with the e-frequency system of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Information System of the Ministry of Manpower and the Computerized Foreign Labor System SISKOTKLN of BNP2TKI. Mr. Soes emphasized that regulation alone is not enough to provide potential/migrant workers with protection. Strong monitoring of the implementation of policies and programs is also needed to ensure protection of rights. The state also tries to provide facilities to assist migrant workers an eliminate abuse against migrant workers.

The Director of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry and Indonesian Legal Aid (BHI) Protection, Lalu M. Iqbal also gave positive appreciation and enthusiasm for the websites. In principle, the government supports work or efforts to issue information that provides more complete information to migrant workers and provides migrants with access to redress mechanisms.

Through the official launch in Jakarta Indonesia, ITUC through KSBSI and MFA through SBMI as partner member, committed to continue to disseminate information about MRA and Hamsa to different actors and stakeholders. However, recognizing that grassroots communities sometimes have limited access to technology, the partners will continue information education at the grassroots level on recruitment issues. KSBSI will also continue to coordinate with SBMI, MFA and ITUC regarding referral case might emerge on this platform system and how to handle it together.

For more information the Migrant Recruitment Advisor see:

https://www.recruitmentadvisor.org/

To access the Hamsa complaints mechanism see:

http://mfasia.org/online-complaints-form/

For more information please contact William Gois of the MFA Secretariat at: mfa@mfasia.org