Indonesia Targets 500,000 Skilled Migrant Workers for Overseas Placement in 2026
Jakarta – The Indonesian government has set an ambitious goal to deploy between 300,000 and 500,000 skilled Indonesian migrant workers abroad in 2026, with placements beginning in April. This initiative aims to capitalize on global labor demand and increase remittance inflows, according to Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar.
Focus on Skilled Labor
The government is prioritizing skilled workers in sectors including welding, hospitality and healthcare. Key destination countries include Japan, South Korea, several European nations, and the United States. This represents a shift away from prioritizing low-skilled domestic work, with a focus on professional and technical positions.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for these opportunities, applicants must possess at least a high school diploma or vocational college qualification. This requirement ensures candidates are equipped for technical roles and reduces the risks associated with more vulnerable employment, such as domestic work.
The SMK Proceed Global Initiative
The program is being implemented under the “SMK Go Global” initiative, a collaborative effort between the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment and the Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KemenP2MI). The initiative seeks to improve the quality of vocational and high school graduates and broaden their access to international job markets.
Previous Successes
This new target follows a successful 2025, where Indonesia surpassed its overseas placement goal. As of mid-December 2025, over 286,400 Indonesians had secured jobs abroad, representing 110.5% of the annual target 1. Domestic work accounted for the largest share of placements at 36.5%, followed by healthcare at 20.6% and manufacturing at 14.1%. The primary destination markets were Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.
Economic Impact of Remittances
Remittances from Indonesian migrant workers reached 212 trillion IDR (US$13.6 billion) through the third quarter of 2025, a 38.6% increase compared to the previous year 1. This highlights the significant contribution of overseas workers to the Indonesian economy.
Future Plans
The Indonesian government plans to continue prioritizing skills training, worker protection, and enhanced competitiveness to strengthen the country’s position in the global labor market. Indonesia is also working towards eradicating extreme poverty by 2026 2, 3.
1 Indonesia targets up to 500,000 migrant workers in 2026. Antara News. February 24, 2026.
2 Indonesia aims to eradicate extreme poverty by 2026. Xinhua. March 14, 2025.
3 Indonesia aims to eradicate extreme poverty by 2026 and it’s one of… The Star. March 15, 2025.