Jakarta - The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TUV Rheinland Indonesia to enhance training and certification programs for Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI). The MoU signing took place at Menara Kadin Indonesia, South Jakarta, on Thursday (July 24, 2025).

This collaboration aims to improve the quality and competitiveness of Indonesian migrant workers in the global labor market, particularly through certified skills and language training programs recognized in 56 countries.

Nofel Saleh Hilabi, Kadin Indonesia’s Vice Chairman for Migrant Worker Protection, stated that TUV Rheinland is a globally recognized certification body, acknowledged in countries such as Germany, across Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. The training will be conducted domestically, eliminating the need for prospective migrant workers to undergo training abroad.

“Kadin, together with TUV Rheinland Indonesia, will handle the training. There's no need for the training to take place overseas; we’re bringing the training programs to Indonesia,” Nofel said.

He added that this new model allows Indonesian migrant workers to be deployed as full employees rather than as interns. As a result, they will receive full salaries according to the labor standards of the destination countries.

“Previously, they went abroad under internship schemes, earning internship wages and were required to return home afterward. Now, with Kadin and TUV Rheinland Indonesia, they will receive skills and language training in Indonesia and depart directly as workers with full salaries,” he explained.

Nofel noted that the initiative is also part of Kadin’s "Quick Wins" program, specifically the “Gotong Royong Indonesian Migrant Workers” initiative, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to increase the number of skilled Indonesian workers employed overseas.

While the government, through the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (P2MI), has set a target of placing 425,000 migrant workers this year, Kadin is aiming to double that number.

“Kadin wants to push the figure to 800,000 per year. TUV Rheinland Indonesia is ready to support this target, leveraging its extensive experience in Indonesia. We plan to establish training centers across all provinces, in collaboration with regional Kadin branches, to accelerate the preparation of migrant workers in key local areas,” Nofel said.

“We’ll train domestic workers who are not absorbed by the local job market. Kadin provides a solution — we train them and place them abroad, where job opportunities are abundant. There are even scholarship opportunities during their training period in Indonesia,” he added.

Adi Mahfudz Wuhadji, Kadin’s Vice Chairman for Vocational and Certification Affairs, emphasized the importance of certification as a means of protecting migrant workers.

He identified three essential components of pre-departure preparation: technical training, professional competency certification, and recognition by Indonesian authorities.

“The best form of protection for our migrant workers is equipping them before they depart. The first is technical competency training, followed by professional certification from the National Agency for Professional Certification (BNSP),” Adi said.

TUV Rheinland Indonesia’s Managing Director, Nyoman Susila, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting Kadin’s program to increase overseas placements of Indonesian workers. He noted that the partnership aligns with TUV Rheinland Group’s core expertise, particularly in labor market services.

“This is a government initiative to increase the placement of Indonesian migrant workers abroad. Kadin has been appointed by the government, and we have the labor market services to support it,” Nyoman said.

“This is a strong collaboration between Kadin and TUV Rheinland to support Kadin’s efforts in identifying overseas labor needs,” he concluded.