Protecting Indonesian Migrant Workers from Recruitment Exploitation: A Human Rights Assessment of Overseas Employment Governance

Angelica Putri Sumardiono (Universitas Padjadjaran)

Contemporary Issues on Indonesian Human Rights Law and Policy
Vol. 3 No. 2 (2026): April, 2026

Indonesian migrant workers contribute significantly to household incomes and the national economy but may face exploitation during recruitment and overseas employment. Excessive recruitment fees, deceptive contracts, document retention, and inadequate access to remedies can create serious human rights risks. This article examines Indonesia's governance of migrant worker recruitment from a human rights perspective. Using normative juridical and policy analysis, the study evaluates migrant worker legislation, recruitment regulation, licensing mechanisms, pre-departure protection, and complaint procedures. The article argues that effective protection requires accountability throughout the recruitment chain rather than relying exclusively on workers' ability to identify abusive practices. The study proposes a rights-based recruitment framework incorporating transparent fee structures, standardized contracts, licensing oversight, joint liability for recruitment intermediaries, accessible complaint mechanisms, and stronger bilateral cooperation with destination countries. Particular attention is given to the vulnerability created by debt-financed migration and information asymmetry between workers and recruitment agencies. The article concludes that Indonesia's migrant worker policy should prioritize prevention of exploitation and access to remedies while strengthening accountability for private recruitment actors.