Indonesian migrant worker

Indonesian migrant workers (Indonesian: Pekerja Migran Indonesia, PMI, formerly known as Tenaga Kerja Indonesia, TKI) are Indonesian citizens who work in countries outside of Indonesia.

Indonesian Migrant Worker

Pekerja Migran Indonesia Tenaga Kerja Indonesia
Total population
4.5 million (2014)
Regions with significant populations
Malaysia	107,085
Taiwan	68,874
Saudi Arabia	38,104
Hong Kong	30,208
Singapore	25,601
United Arab Emirates	15,276
Languages
Indonesian (national) Indonesian languages, Arabic, English
Religion
Islam (majority), Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Indonesians (Overseas Indonesians)

Indonesia's population is the world's fourth-largest, and due to a shortage of domestic jobs, many Indonesians seek employment overseas. These migrant workers are mostly low-skilled and work in the domestic sector. They are prone to exploitation, extortion, physical and sexual abuses and human trafficking.^[1] Several cases of abuse have been reploted, some of which been picked up by international media.^[2]

It is estimated that around 4.5 million Indonesians work abroad. Roughly 70 percent are women, most of whom are employed in domestic sector (as maid or domestic helpers) or in the manufacturing sector. Migrant Indonesian men mostly work on plantations, in the construction or transportation industries or in the service sector. Most Indonesian migrants are in their prime work years, between 18 and 35 years old. However, cases of underage workers attaining employment with the aid of falsified documents have been reported.^[3]

Since 1969, the government of Indonesia has administered the recruitment of migrant labor.^[4] The public program has attracted criticism, with opponents claiming it unduly elevates the rights of private recruitment agents over those of the migrant workers they recruit.