What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to understand the knowledge gap in old-age pension schemes among Indonesian migrant workers and its implications for social security.

March 16, 2026Open Access

Strengthening The Capacity of Indonesian Migrant Workers Through Old-Age Social Security A Study on PMI in Malaysia and Hongkong

Key Points

The study aims to understand the knowledge gap in old-age pension schemes among Indonesian migrant workers and its implications for social security.
Conducted observations and interviews with Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia and Hong Kong.
Distributed questionnaires to assess understanding of the old-age pension scheme.
Employed empirical juridical and conceptual legal approaches to analyze findings.
Many Indonesian migrant workers lack knowledge of the old-age pension scheme.
Weak coordination among governmental and financial institutions impedes effective social security implementation.
Recommendations for improving legal compliance and contribution mechanisms were identified.

Abstract

Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) are primarily motivated to work abroad by the prospect of higher wages to achieve long-term financial security, despite the social costs of family separation. However, empirical evidence from observations, interviews, and questionnaires reveals that many PMIs have limited understanding of the old-age pension scheme, a key component of the national social security system, a gap exacerbated by inadequate pre-departure briefings for prospective migrant workers (CPMI) despite clear legal obligations. This study employs an empirical juridical method supported by a conceptual legal approach to examine the gap between the normative framework governing PMI social security protection and its implementation in practice, particularly regarding technical barriers to paying old-age security contributions during overseas employment. The findings show weak institutional coordination and accountability among key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Manpower, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, BP2MI, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and state-affiliated banking institutions. The study concludes that strengthening legal compliance, inter-agency coordination, and accessible contribution mechanisms is essential to ensure effective protection and the realization of old-age social security rights for PMIs after the completion of their employment.

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