State Responsibility in Protecting Indonesian Citizens as Migrant Workers Abroad
Keywords:
state responsibility, migrant workers, WNI protection, international law, human rightsAbstract
Indonesia is one of the largest sending countries of migrant workers in the world, with millions of Indonesian citizens (WNI) working abroad in various sectors. However, the protection of these workers remains a critical and unresolved challenge. This study examines the extent of state responsibility in protecting Indonesian migrant workers under both national law and international human rights frameworks. Using a normative juridical research method with a statute approach and conceptual approach, this study analyzes relevant legislation, international conventions, and case law. The findings reveal that although Indonesia has ratified several international instruments and enacted domestic laws such as Law No. 18 of 2017 on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, significant implementation gaps persist. These include inadequate pre departure protection, lack of diplomatic intervention during crises, and insufficient legal aid mechanisms abroad. The state bears a constitutional obligation to guarantee the safety, rights, and welfare of its citizens regardless of geographic boundaries. This paper argues for a more comprehensive, rights based approach to migrant worker protection, including strengthening bilateral agreements, improving the role of Indonesian diplomatic missions, and reforming institutional coordination among relevant government agencies.
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