Banyuwangi, 15–17 December 2025 – Migrant CARE organised a series of activities under Migrant Day in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, as part of the commemoration of International Migrants Day 2025. The three-day event brought together around 300 participants from migrant worker communities, civil society organisations, labour unions, universities, and local government representatives.
One of the key agendas in the series was the Thematic Development Planning Forum (Musrenbang Tematik) on Migrant Workers, which aims to strengthen the protection of the rights of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI). Other activities included public discussions, policy dialogues, an exhibition of economic products developed by returned migrant workers, as well as artistic and cultural performances addressing strategic issues related to migrant worker protection and welfare.
Migrant CARE Promotes Inclusive Participation of Migrant Workers
Executive Director of Migrant CARE, Wahyu Susilo, explained that the Thematic Musrenbang emerged from grassroots initiatives led by migrant workers and community facilitators to ensure meaningful participation of migrant workers in development planning processes.
“This forum ensures that migrant workers are able to propose, formulate, and advocate for policies that are responsive to their needs. The initiative has been implemented since 2022, has received recognition from the central government, and has even been replicated in several regions,” he said.
Migrant CARE Banyuwangi Coordinator, Uut Rohmatin, added that the Thematic Musrenbang also serves as a platform to capture the aspirations and needs of migrant workers at the local level, which are then compiled into recommendations to be conveyed to the national level.
“We sincerely hope that through the commemoration of International Migrants Day, efforts to fulfil the rights of migrant workers will become increasingly inclusive,” she stated.
Assistant for Economic Affairs and Development of Banyuwangi Regency, Dwiyanto, welcomed the proposals and recommendations produced through the forum.
“We hope that the recommendations from the Thematic Musrenbang can strengthen regional development planning, while also improving services and risk mitigation for migrant workers,” he remarked.
The recommendations generated from the Thematic Musrenbang on Migrant Workers include:
- Strengthening protection for Indonesian migrant workers from pre-departure, during employment, to post-migration phases;
- Improving protection services and complaint mechanisms for migrant workers at the local level;
- Preventing non-procedural migration and mitigating the risks of exploitation and human trafficking;
- Integrating migrant worker issues into regional development planning and budgeting;
- Strengthening economic empowerment for returned migrant workers and their families; and
- Enhancing meaningful participation of migrant workers in policy formulation processes.
The commemoration of International Migrants Day 2025 also actively involved young people and utilised arts and culture as advocacy mediums. The series of activities concluded with a Solidarity Night and a ludruk performance, symbolising collective solidarity and the shared struggle to strengthen protection for migrant workers.
