Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Indonesian government is setting up a strategy to place skilled and semi-skilled migrant workers in the Brunei Darussalam job market, anticipating its reopening of entry points for foreign workers after the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was discussed by national stakeholders at the focus group discussion on Policy for the Placement of Skilled-Indonesian Migrant Workers in Brunei Darussalam during the Covid-19 Endemic (Post-pandemic) Period, which was held by the Indonesian Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan on Thursday (Dec. 16)

"Indonesia needs to formulate a policy of sending skilled migrant workers abroad, including to the Brunei Darussalam labor market which is quite promising," Indonesian Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Sujatmiko stated in his remarks at the event.

He noted that Brunei is now aggressively promoting economic diversification into various sectors in order to reduce its dependence on oil.

"This increase in economic activities could not be fully met by local workers, so it requires foreign worker supports," he said, adding that the Indonesian migrant workers for the domestic sector would only be placed if the memorandum of understanding on this issue discussed in 2013 has been completed.

This is also in accordance with the mandate of Law No. 18 of 2017 concerning the protection of Indonesian migrant workers.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Hermono delivered his remarks regarding the latest information on the placement of the Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia and the protection aspects.

Data from Brunei Darussalam’s Department of Planning and Economic Statistics show that the number of foreigners in this country has decreased from around 94,200 people in 2019 to 83,900 people in 2020.

This number includes foreign workers, that decreased by 18.3 percent from 74,300 people in 2019 to 60,700 people in 2020.

Meanwhile, the 2020 Brunei labor force survey indicated that the Indonesian migrant workers are the largest group of foreign workers, with 21,654 people.

However, the number of Indonesian migrant workers working in the domestic sector is still higher than those working in skilled and semi-skilled sectors.

Reporting by Indonesia Window