Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Indonesia (Ratification: 1950)

Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. Vulnerability of migrant workers to conditions of forced labour. International cooperation. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that in order to promote the protection of migrant workers in the destination country, it had made several efforts through regional and multilateral forums, including the ASEAN Forum, the Colombo Process, the Global Forum on Migration and Development and the Abu Dhabi Dialogue. The Committee also noted the Government’s indication that it had concluded Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with several countries, including Malaysia, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. These MOUs included an employment agreement which refers to the fundamental rights of the workers such as wages, working hours, rest hours, working conditions and documents that they must hold on their own.

The Committee notes the Government’s information in its report that it continues to negotiate with host countries in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, for placement of migrant workers through one channel system and improved working conditions. Regarding host countries in Asia and the Pacific, discussions are on-going in order to improve the MOUs concluded with Malaysia, Brunei and the Republic of Korea. Moreover, an agreement has been reached with Taiwan (China). The Government also indicates that officials from the Ministry of Manpower are appointed as labour attachés at 13 embassies of Indonesia in the host countries, in order to better protect the rights of Indonesian migrant workers. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the implementation of the MOUs in practice and their impact on protecting migrant workers. It also requests the Government to continue providing information on international cooperation efforts undertaken to support migrant workers in transit and destination countries, including measures specifically tailored to the difficult circumstances faced by such workers to prevent and respond to cases of abuse.