The recent visit by Indonesian Minister for the Protection of Migrant Workers, Abdul Kadir Karding, to Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, marked a significant milestone in the two countries' labor cooperation efforts. The delegation's engagement with local companies, government officials, and migrant worker placement agencies underscored Indonesia's commitment to addressing Japan's labor shortage while ensuring the protection and welfare of Indonesian workers.
The visit coincided with the Miyagi Job Fair 2025, which brought together over 2,000 participants, including job seekers, company representatives, and other stakeholders. The fair featured more than 120 local companies, 27 supervisory organizations, and 11 registered support institutions, highlighting the potential for enhanced cooperation in labor and human resource development.
A key highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Protection of Migrant Workers and the Government of Miyagi Prefecture. The MoU establishes a framework of cooperation in the development, placement, and acceptance of Indonesian migrant workers under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) scheme.
A Framework for Cooperation
The MoU's signing marks a new chapter in Indonesia-Japan labor cooperation, aimed at supporting mutual economic growth while strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries. The agreement focuses on three key areas:
Strengthening Japanese language training, pre-departure orientation, and vocational programs to ensure Indonesian workers have the necessary skills for employment.
Establishing fair grievance mechanisms and continuous monitoring to protect and welfare Indonesian migrant workers.
Enhancing consultation services between employers and migrant worker placement agencies.
Historical Context
Indonesia and Japan have a long history of cooperation in labor and human resource development. The two countries have been exploring ways to address mutual economic challenges, including labor shortages, through enhanced cooperation.
In 2019, Indonesia and Japan signed the Indonesia-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which aims to promote trade, investment, and economic growth between the two countries. As part of this agreement, Indonesia has been working closely with Japan to address its labor shortage issues, particularly in industries such as manufacturing and construction.
Key Stakeholders
The MoU's signing is a significant development for several key stakeholders:
Indonesia: The country stands to benefit from the MoU, which aims to support the growth of Indonesian migrant workers in Japan.
Japan: The agreement demonstrates Japan's commitment to addressing its labor shortage issues while ensuring fair and equitable treatment of Indonesian migrant workers.
Indonesian Migrant Workers: The MoU's focus on protecting and welfare these workers underscores Indonesia's responsibility to ensure their rights are protected.
Expert Insights
"We see this as a significant step forward in Indonesia-Japan labor cooperation. The MoU's emphasis on protection, welfare, and fair grievance mechanisms is crucial for addressing the challenges faced by Indonesian migrant workers," said Yuna Sato, Senior Research Fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs.
"The agreement highlights Indonesia's commitment to supporting Japan's economic growth while ensuring the protection of its citizens working abroad," added Koji Nakazawa, Director of Human Resource Development Policy at the Ministry of Labor in Japan.
Future Outlook
In the short term (next 6 months), we can expect an increase in structured recruitment opportunities for Indonesian migrant workers in Japan. The MoU's signing is also likely to lead to enhanced cooperation between Indonesia and Japan on vocational training, pre-departure orientation, and language training.
In the long term (5-10 years), we may see a more significant expansion of labor cooperation between Indonesia and Japan, driven by the growth of trade and investment between the two countries. The MoU's signing marks an important step towards establishing a framework for cooperative labor practices that benefits both parties.
A Call to Reflection
As Indonesia-Japan labor cooperation continues to evolve, it is essential to reflect on the challenges and opportunities presented by this partnership. The MoU's signing underscores the importance of balancing economic growth with social responsibility and the protection of workers' rights.
We invite readers to share their thoughts on this development and its implications for global labor standards. How can Indonesia and Japan ensure that their cooperative efforts prioritize both economic growth and worker welfare?