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Returning migrant workers: rights after return, BPJS claims, training, going back safely

Written by KarirAman editorial team Approved by Kaiser Khan (editor), Updated

Rights of Indonesian migrant workers after they return: KP2MI reintegration, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan claims, skills certification and going abroad again safely.

Summary

  • Law 18/2017 Article 24 requires protection after work: return home, settling unpaid rights, rehabilitation and reintegration, and empowerment.
  • Work-accident cover (JKK) for migrant workers runs from arrival at the port of return to the home region, for at most 30 days (Regulation P2MI 9/2026 Article 14).
  • Members of the JHT savings scheme can withdraw it when the contract ends, after dismissal or after resigning (Regulation P2MI 9/2026 Article 38).
  • District and city governments must carry out social and economic reintegration for migrant workers and their families (Law 18/2017 Article 41).
  • Migrant workers may not be charged placement costs (Law 18/2017 Article 30(1)), including when they go abroad again.
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On this page
  1. Who counts as a returning migrant worker, and what rights do they have?
  2. What help does the government give migrant workers who come home because of problems?
  3. What are KP2MI's rehabilitation and reintegration programmes?
  4. How do returning migrant workers claim BPJS Ketenagakerjaan benefits?
  5. How can skills gained abroad be recognised in Indonesia?
  6. Is there financial guidance for returning migrant workers and their families?
  7. How can I go abroad again without being scammed?
  8. Where can I report problems with an agency or unpaid rights?
  9. Which official channels can returning migrant workers contact?

Who counts as a returning migrant worker, and what rights do they have?

A returning migrant worker (PMI purna) is an Indonesian migrant worker who has finished working abroad and come home. Law 18/2017 Article 1 point 2 defines a migrant worker (PMI) as a citizen who will, does or did work for pay outside Indonesia. Article 24 says protection after work covers help returning to the home region, settling rights that have not been met, care for workers who are ill or have died, social rehabilitation and reintegration, and empowerment of workers and their families. Central and regional government provide this protection together.

What help does the government give migrant workers who come home because of problems?

Regulation P2MI 32/2025, in force since 26 November 2025, covers return assistance for migrant workers coming home because of war, disaster, epidemics, deportation, dismissal before the contract ends, work accidents, illness or violence (Article 2). Services include information, registration and complaints, and return handling at the port of arrival, help desks, lounges and shelters (Rumah Ramah) (Article 5). For workers placed by a licensed agency (P3MI), the agency is responsible for the return, in coordination with KP2MI (Article 3).

What are KP2MI's rehabilitation and reintegration programmes?

KP2MI and district or city governments provide rehabilitation and reintegration to migrant workers who had problems at work (Regulation P2MI 32/2025 Article 23). Support includes psychosocial motivation and assessment, care, vocational training and business coaching, counselling, accessibility services and social assistance (Article 24). In reintegration, workers are recorded as potential participants in skills programmes (Articles 45 and 49). Law 18/2017 also tasks district and city governments with social and economic reintegration (Article 41) and villages with empowering migrant workers and their families (Article 42).

How do returning migrant workers claim BPJS Ketenagakerjaan benefits?

Regulation P2MI 9/2026 on social security for migrant workers, in force since 28 August 2026, makes JKK and JKM compulsory and JHT optional (Article 4). After work, JKK covers you from arrival at the port of return to your home region, for at most 30 days, and JKM for 30 days (Article 14). JKK benefits include cash help if someone else causes you a loss on the way home and for workers proven to have suffered sexual violence (Article 23). JHT is paid when, among other things, the contract ends, you are dismissed or you resign (Article 38). Reports and claims go through BPJS Ketenagakerjaan service channels linked to SISKOP2MI (Article 39); the BPJS Ketenagakerjaan migrant worker portal has claims and complaints menus.

How can skills gained abroad be recognised in Indonesia?

Experience abroad does not turn into a certificate by itself. The recognised route is to pass a competency test at a Professional Certification Body (LSP) licensed by BNSP, based on national competency standards (SKKNI), international or special standards (Government Regulation 10/2018 Article 1). Choose an LSP marked Lisensi Aktif in the BNSP directory, then check your certificate on BNSP's verification page. To go abroad again, Regulation P2MI 2/2026 Article 9 accepts a diploma or skills certificate from an education or training body in Indonesia or abroad where no certification scheme exists for the job.

Is there financial guidance for returning migrant workers and their families?

Yes. Regulation P2MI 9/2025 tasks KP2MI with improving the financial literacy of prospective, current and returning migrant workers and their families, working with regional governments, villages and financial institutions where needed (Article 2). Workshops can be held after workers come home to their home region (Article 5). Protect your own account too: the financial intelligence agency PPATK asks people never to lend or sell their identity documents or bank accounts to others.

How can I go abroad again without being scammed?

Follow the cost rules in order. First, Law 18/2017 Article 30(1): migrant workers may not be charged placement costs. Second, Regulation P2MI 17/2025: the employer bears placement costs by default, and you may be charged only the costs written and itemised in the Placement Agreement. Third, any request for money outside that document, in cash or to a personal account, is a red flag. Choose a vacancy and upload documents through your own SISKOP2MI account (Regulation P2MI 2/2026 Article 9), and check the agency's licence before you sign anything.

Where can I report problems with an agency or unpaid rights?

Regulation P2MI 23/2025 provides complaint channels through SISKOP2MI, in person at KP2MI or KP2MI technical unit service desks, the call centre, letters and KP2MI's official social media (Article 4). Complaints can come from prospective workers, workers or their families, against a licensed agency (P3MI), a placement company, a placement-related institution or anyone else (Article 5). Have your identity, contact details, destination country, details of the party you are reporting and a timeline ready (Article 6). Settling unpaid rights is part of protection after work under Law 18/2017 Article 24.

Checklist after you return

  • Keep your passport, employment contract, proof of wages and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan membership card.
  • Report any problem to the KP2MI help desk at the port of arrival or through SISKOP2MI.
  • Check whether you joined the JHT scheme, then claim through BPJS Ketenagakerjaan service channels.
  • Ask about training and empowerment programmes at your district manpower office and KP2MI technical unit.
  • Before going abroad again, check the agency's licence on SISKOP2MI and read the cost rules above before you pay anything.

Which official channels can returning migrant workers contact?

The official channels for returning migrant workers are KP2MI for complaints and programme information, SISKOP2MI to check licensed agencies and official vacancies, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan for claims, and the police for fraud or violence. Contact them directly, without intermediaries.

If an offer to go abroad again asks you to use a tourist visa, leave first and sign a contract later, or hand over your passport, read human trafficking through job offers and check a licensed agency.

Frequently asked questions

Do migrant workers who come home without problems also get reintegration support?

Regulation P2MI 32/2025 aims rehabilitation and reintegration mainly at migrant workers who had problems at work. But Law 18/2017 Article 24 includes empowerment of migrant workers and their families in protection after work, and Regulation P2MI 9/2025 names returning migrant workers as a target of its financial literacy programme. Ask your district manpower office and the local KP2MI technical unit (UPT) which programmes are running.

I did not join the JHT scheme. What can I still claim?

JKK and JKM are compulsory for migrant workers, while JHT is optional (Regulation P2MI 9/2026 Article 4). Without JHT you have no savings balance to withdraw, but JKK cover after work still applies until you reach your home region, for at most 30 days from arrival, including help if someone else causes you a loss on the way home.

Someone offers a faster way to go abroad again through a special route, for a fee. Is it safe?

Check the cost rules first. First, Law 18/2017 Article 30(1) says migrant workers may not be charged placement costs. Second, under Regulation P2MI 17/2025 the employer bears placement costs by default, and you may be charged only costs written and itemised in the Placement Agreement. Third, any request for money outside that document, in cash or to a personal account, is a red flag. Official placement runs through your own SISKOP2MI account and a licensed placement body.

Who wrote and reviewed this page?

Written by KarirAman editorial team Published Updated

Prepared with AI assistance. Checked against official sources and approved for publication by Kaiser Khan (editor). Approval date: .

Sources

The facts on this page come from these sources. Dates show when we opened them.

  1. Undang-Undang Nomor 18 Tahun 2017 tentang Pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id) · UU 18/2017 · accessed
  2. Peraturan Menteri P2MI/Kepala BP2MI Nomor 17 Tahun 2025 tentang Biaya Penempatan Pekerja Migran Indonesia Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id) · Permen P2MI 17/2025 · accessed
  3. Peraturan Menteri P2MI/Kepala BP2MI Nomor 32 Tahun 2025 tentang Fasilitasi Kepulangan, Rehabilitasi, dan Reintegrasi Pekerja Migran Indonesia JDIH BPK RI (peraturan.bpk.go.id) · Permen P2MI 32/2025 · accessed
  4. Peraturan Menteri P2MI/Kepala BP2MI Nomor 23 Tahun 2025 tentang Layanan Pengaduan dan Penanganan Permasalahan Calon Pekerja Migran Indonesia atau Pekerja Migran Indonesia JDIH BPK RI (peraturan.bpk.go.id) · Permen P2MI 23/2025 · accessed
  5. Peraturan Menteri P2MI/Kepala BP2MI Nomor 9 Tahun 2026 tentang Jaminan Sosial Pekerja Migran Indonesia JDIH Kementerian Ketenagakerjaan · Permen P2MI 9/2026 · accessed
  6. Portal Perlindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) BPJS Ketenagakerjaan · accessed
  7. Peraturan Menteri P2MI/Kepala BP2MI Nomor 9 Tahun 2025 tentang Peningkatan Literasi Keuangan bagi Pekerja Migran Indonesia dan Keluarga Pekerja Migran Indonesia JDIH BPK RI (peraturan.bpk.go.id) · Permen P2MI 9/2025 · accessed
  8. Peraturan Menteri P2MI/Kepala BP2MI Nomor 2 Tahun 2026 tentang Tata Cara Penempatan Pekerja Migran Indonesia oleh Pelaksana Penempatan Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id) · Permen P2MI 2/2026 · accessed
  9. Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 10 Tahun 2018 tentang Badan Nasional Sertifikasi Profesi Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id) · PP 10/2018 · accessed
  10. BNSP: daftar Lembaga Sertifikasi Profesi Badan Nasional Sertifikasi Profesi · accessed
  11. BNSP: Sistem Verifikasi Sertifikat Kompetensi Kerja Elektronik Badan Nasional Sertifikasi Profesi · accessed
  12. PPATK rampungkan analisis rekening dormant (siaran pers): jangan meminjamkan atau menjual rekening Pusat Pelaporan dan Analisis Transaksi Keuangan (PPATK) · accessed
How to cite

KarirAman (2026). Returning migrant workers: rights after return, BPJS claims, training, going back safely. Updated 8 October 2026. https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/returning-migrant-workers/

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