Optimization of Legal Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers in South Korea Who Are in Failure of Employment Agreements

Abstract

This research aims to dig deeper into legal protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) who are involved in defaulting on work agreements in South Korea. With the high employment opportunities in South Korea's manufacturing sector, the Indonesian government has taken steps through the G to G Program scheme to send PMI to the country as a solution to overcome the high unemployment rate in Indonesia. Even though this program has succeeded in providing employment opportunities for PMI, the increase in their numbers in South Korea has had negative impacts in the form of legal problems. Some PMIs are involved in acts of default by running away from the workplace, making them illegal workers who violate work agreements. This research uses a literature study method to examine various relevant sources to gain an in-depth understanding of this problem. The research results show that the legal protection provided by the Indonesian government for PMI involved in default has been working well. However, increasing protection is an important need because most illegal PMI do not report themselves to the embassy, ​​complicating the process of legal protection if problems occur. Therefore, further steps are needed to ensure that PMIs involved in defaults continue to receive adequate legal protection, including increasing awareness and coordination between relevant parties in Indonesia and South Korea. Apart from that, this research also highlights the importance of empowering PMI in understanding their rights and obligations, so as to reduce incidents of default. Coordination between the Indonesian embassy and South Korean authorities also needs to be improved to facilitate more effective reporting and protection.