KARSA: Jurnal Sosial dan Budaya Keislaman (Journal of Social and Islamic Culture)
Vol. 34 No. 1 (2026)

Migration Ecosystem Vulnerability and Protection Gaps: A Critical Policy Analysis of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Saudi Arabia

Achmad Zaini (Fakultas Adab dan Humaniora, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya)
Akhmad Najibul Khairi Sya'ie (Fakultas Adab dan Humaniora, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya)
Moh. Syaeful Bahar (Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Politik, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya)
Achmad Kemal Riza (Fakultas Syariah dan Hukum, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya)
Aris Fanani (Fakultas Sains dan Teknologi, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Jun 2026

Abstract

Saudi Arabia has long been one of the primary destinations for Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI), most of whom are women employed in domestic work. Despite their significant contribution to Indonesia’s economy through remittances, they continue to face systemic legal, socio-cultural, and economic vulnerabilities. This study examines these multidimensional challenges using a qualitative case study approach based on methodological triangulation of field interviews with migrant workers, consular officials, and community leaders, complemented by government documents, bilateral agreements, international reports, and relevant scholarly literature. Unlike previous studies that examine legal, labor, or human rights issues separately, this study employs the migration ecosystem vulnerability framework to explain how legal, institutional, economic, and socio-cultural factors interact throughout the migration cycle. The findings show that migrant vulnerability arises from interconnected governance failures in recruitment, labor regulation, diplomatic protection, and community support. Structural dependency under the kafala system, gendered informal migration pathways, and deficits in human security collectively reinforce migrants’ precarious conditions. The study proposes a multi-level governance approach that integrates strengthened bilateral cooperation, recruitment reform through the One Channel Placement System (SPSK), diaspora-based community empowerment, and sustainable reintegration programs. By linking these complementary policy measures, the study contributes to migration scholarship while offering an integrated framework to strengthen migrant protection and promote more preventive, inclusive, and dignified migration governance.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

karsa

Publisher

Subject

Description

KARSA Jurnal Sosial dan Budaya Keislaman has reflected the Universitas Islam Negeri Maduras strong commitment to publishing the best of multidisciplinary research, arts and humanities, social studies, cultural studies, including decision studies, gender studies, theoretical or empirically grounded, ...