Productive Migrant Village Program In Empowering Ex-Migrant Workers In Indonesia

Abstract

This study evaluates the Productive Migrant Village Program or Desa Migrant Produktif (Desmigratif) in empowering former Indonesian Migrant Worker (IMW) or Pekerja Migran Indonesia (PMI) in Blitar Regency with a qualitative approach. This program involves eight strategic steps to achieve four core activities, namely: (1) Involving migrant central villages with the support of the government, (2) Establishment of independent groups for productive business, (3) Socialization and training of independent business with the help of cooperatives or financial institutions, and (4) Supervision and development of migrant children through joint learning activities. The results showed that this program succeeded in increasing the economic potential of migrant villages and the welfare of ex migrant workers and migrant worker families. The challenges faced include limited budget and public awareness, but this program is effective in reducing illegal migrant workers, increasing cooperation with Indonesian Labor Providers Organization (ILPO) or Perusahaan Jasa Tenaga Kerja Indonesia (PJTKI) and local governments, and improving the skills and economic capacity of migrant worker families. Although there are negative impacts such as dependence on aid, positive impacts are dominant, showing the success of the Desmigratif Program in Blitar District.