Indonesian Migrant Workers: The Migration Process and Vulnerability to COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Migration Studies
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Indonesia is a major source of migrant workers in Southeast Asia.
• Migrant workers are vulnerable to COVID-19 due to prolonged migration processes.
• Existing health protocols and vaccination programs have limitations in protecting migrant workers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and discuss the vulnerability of Indonesian migrant workers (IMWs) to COVID-19.
• To analyze the effectiveness of health protocols and vaccination programs for IMWs.
• To identify policy gaps and responsibilities in protecting IMWs during migration.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on migrant workers and COVID-19.
• Analysis of international and national regulations concerning migrant workers.
• Examination of Indonesian government data and statistics.
• Data collection from search engines and published reports.

Main Results:

• Despite implemented policies, contagion persists among Indonesian migrant workers.
• Vulnerability is linked to health protocol implementation, awareness of virus transmission, and vaccination program reach.
• Both Indonesia and destination countries share responsibility for worker protection.

Conclusions:

• Continuous health protection, increased awareness, and mandatory PCR tests and vaccinations are essential for IMWs.
• Strengthening national and international cooperation is vital for mitigating COVID-19 risks in migrant populations.
• Addressing vulnerabilities across all migration phases is critical for safeguarding Indonesian migrant workers.