Through collaboration with other ministries, the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) is looking for chances to place qualified senior nurses or care givers overseas, including in Singapore.
KP2MI is discussing different ways to make this happen, such as government-to-government or government-to-private company agreements. They also plan to train Indonesian caregivers so they meet Singapore’s requirements and are ready to work in nursing homes or private homes caring for the elderly.
The ministry stated that Singapore will serve as the pilot project for this cooperation. This is based on data showing that of the total 2,50,000 Indonesian citizens in Singapore, around 1,66,000 are female domestic workers. In addition, Singapore is projected to need 24,000 nurses by 2030.
This effort aims to create better job opportunities for Indonesian women, improve their skills, and help boost their income. The ministries are still working out the details and have not finalized any specific cooperation with Singapore yet.
“We are open to cooperation in migrant workers’ placement in Singapore, especially for caregivers. We need to discuss the scheme we want to use,” Deputy Minister of P2MI Christina Aryani stated.
Several current placement programs, including government to government (G to G) and government to private (G to P), were highlighted by Aryani.
“We need to learn requirements and competencies that must be met, so we can find suitable candidates for Singapore’s needs,” she affirmed.
She also said she was willing to work with the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) and the Ministry of Manpower to train potential carers for Singapore.
“Those who will be deployed are truly ready to work both in nursing homes and at home to care for the elderly,” Aryani remarked.
She stated that the placement of elderly caregivers also aligns with the Care Economy Program of the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, aimed at improving the economy, profession, and standardization of Indonesian women. Veronica Tan, the deputy minister of women’s empowerment and child protection, confirmed in the same statement that this partnership can strengthen women’s economy and enhance the talents and capacities of female domestic migrant workers.
“If we can run the G to G program with the Singapore government through this pilot project, we will open up new job opportunities for women, along with increased skills and salaries,” she emphasized.
Tan stated that there has not yet been any specific cooperation with Singapore regarding the placement of caregivers.
“Singapore happens to be close to Indonesia with many unprocedural domestic workers. We could seize this opportunity since the need for Indonesian domestic workers is still high, and we can reduce unemployment and improve the economy,” she stated.
