Empowering Migrant Workers

KOMPAS/CORNELIUS HELMY HERLAMBANG

Indonesian migrant workers in Hong Kong show their work on Sunday (13/5/2018) as part of the Mandiri Sahabatku 2018 training program. The program empowers them in developing their own businesses when they repatriate to Indonesia.

Living abroad, about 3,300 kilometers away from their hometown, some Indonesian migrant workers feel at home. With entrepreneurship training provided by the government and support given by their employers, migrant workers can be empowered.

Upi Widyawati, 30, smiled happily on Sunday after she passed the 2018 Mandiri Sahabatku entrepreneurship training program. Upi is now a proficient makeup artist. "Ojo suwi-suwi nang (Don’t stay too long in) Hong Kong," she said in Javanese.

Next year, when her work contract ends, Upi plans to return to Indonesia for good. She wants to open a salon with her family in Ngawi, East Java. Upi is one of 1,000 migrant workers participating in the 2018 Mandiri Sahabatku entrepreneurship training program. Sponsored by Bank Mandiri, the program has helped empower migrant workers since 2011.

Apart from makeup training, migrant workers are trained to make cookies, dressings, create websites. Everything is free. Similar programs are also held in Japan, Malaysia and South Korea. A total of 11,625 people participate in the programs.

Upi did not miss any of the eight training sessions. She took time off every weekend. The training material ranges from learning how to apply makeup, managing finances and promoting the business.

KOMPAS/KHAERUL ANWAR

Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, fills with Indonesian migrant workers (TKIs) during their day off on Sunday. Some of them just enjoy their time chatting with friends, while others take part in practicing pencak silat.

Upi, who became a migrant worker five years ago, admitted she was really excited to take part in the training. She often studied until late at night. Her employer, Clara Yu Pui Ching, once asked about her extra activities.

Clara was worried Upi was trapped in the glamorous life of Hong Kong. When Upi explained that she was taking a makeup course, Clara supported her. "She did not want me to be a housemaid for my whole life. It should be better," said Upi, who earned Rp 7.5 million per month.

Elistioningsih, 30, a migrant worker from Malang, East Java, was also confident she could improve her livelihood in her own country. She also learned to manage finances and run a retail business. Now, she and her family run a grocery in Malang. The grocery’s turnover has increased to Rp 1.5 million per day from only about Rp 500,000 per day. Elis always keeps all the financial records for her business .

President director of Bank Mandiri Kartika Wirjoatmodjo said skills training was very important for migrant workers so they could improve their lives after returning to their home country. The bank would, therefore, continue the training programs in the coming years.

"We even continued this training through Mandiri Sahabatku Sehati. In addition to receiving training, the former migrant workers will also be given access to financing through the KUR micro credits," he said. Since 2016,  Mandiri has disbursed KUR credit worth Rp 28.1 billion to 1,763 former migrant workers.

The smiles and expectations expressed by Upi and Elis indicate that migrant workers need the government’s assistance.  For them, working as a housemaid overseas is a last resort because they don’t have skills.

"I would not be as independent as I am now if I had not taken part in the training program. Next year, I\'ll go home. I want to become a wedding organizer, "said Emon Dorayongsui, 32, who has been a migrant worker for 10 years. This year, she was named a winner for her makeup in a competition held during the celebration of Kartini Day in Hong Kong recently.

KOMPAS/HERPIN DEWANTO PUTRO

Indonesian migrant workers (TKIs) in Hong Kong participate in the Mandiri Sahabatku training program on entrepreneurship that Bank Mandiri held on Sunday (10/5/2015) in Hong Kong. The program aims to encourage TKIs, most of who are domestic servants, to start businesses upon returning to their hometowns.

Support from employers

Many migrant workers acknowledge that their employers also support them. Elis said she received additional training on how to manage finances from her boss, who worked as a financial consultant. Most importantly, Elis said, she was allowed to carry out her religious duties. "My employer always reminds me to pray five times," he said.

Mujini, 48, a migrant worker from Batam, who runs an online children’s clothing shop, said her employer was even inspired to go to church after seeing that she regularly prayed five times a day. "I want to go to church because I see you pray," Mujini quoted his boss as saying.

During the Best Boss awarding ceremony at the closing of the 2018 Mandiri Sahabatku training program, Upi was one of the stars. Together with five other migrant workers, she was invited up to the stage. Upi was accompanied by her employer\'s family: Clara, her husband Eddy Choi and her children. Upi\'s hands were held by her employers\' two children. "They support me in taking part in the entrepreneurship training," said Upi.

Her employer is also very tolerant of her religion. Upi was supported by her boss when she decided to wear a hijab (headscarf). Clara also reminded Upi to fast during Ramadhan. When invited to join the family on trips, Upi was always given halal food.

Clara said she knew from the beginning that there were cultural and religious differences between her family and Upi. But it did not matter. For her, Upi was an inspirational figure. In addition to being hardworking, she was trying hard to improve the livelihood of her family in Indonesia.

"She and I are both fighters for our family and beliefs. If it is nurtured, we believe there are many good things for all of us," he said.