International Conference on Migration and Security

International Conference on Migration and Security

October 1-3 2018

Opening Speech

Hon. Dr. Nurhayati Ali Assegaf

Chairperson of the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia

President  of Geneva Council on International Affairs and Development (GCIAD)

Bismillaahirrahmaanirrahim,

Assalamu’alaikum Wr. Wb.

Good afternoon,

First of all, I would like to express my appreciation for the Geneva Association of United Nations Correspondents for giving me the opportunity to speak; and to all participants for taking the time to attend this meeting. It is timely for us to discuss migration and security as part of the global issues that linked to one another. A complex phenomenon that requires every country to work together and collaborate. None of us could possibly solve these challenges single handedly.

For the last decade, there is a significant increase of migrant workers from Asia, including Indonesia. According to the World Bank Report on Indonesian Migrant Workers 2017, more than nine million Indonesians work abroad, equivalent to almost seven percent of Indonesia’s total labor force, placing Indonesia as the third country in terms of the number of migrant workers after China and the Philippines. Indonesian migrant workers deliver important contribution, both to their families as well as to the national economy. In 2016, they sent more than USD 9 billion to Indonesia in remittances.

Indeed, labor migration contributes to the improvement of people’s living condition. The skills and experiences that are acquired abroad help migrant workers to find better jobs or to start their own businesses upon returning to Indonesia. Yet, many Indonesian migrant workers are prone to human rights violation and human trafficking. On the other hand, irregular migration which caused by violence and armed conflict continues to challenge many countries.

Indonesia acknowledges that ensuring the security of migrant workers and the protection of their rights are the responsibility of the international community, including the origin, transit, and receiving countries. Therefore, as a non-traditional security issue, migration has become an important part of our national interests.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

For Indonesia, the placement and protection of migrant workers are a critical subject. Initially a sending country, Indonesia has transformed into a receiving country as well. The Indonesian Manpower Ministry recorded 74 thousand foreign migrant workers in Indonesia. Yet, hundreds of thousands, even millions of foreigners are predicted to have abused Indonesia’s visa-free policy and illegally worked within our territory.

Indonesia emphasizes the “Triple Win” approach in dealing with regular migration. This approach puts forward the interests of the migrants, as well as the sending and receiving countries. The Indonesian House of Representatives has adopted the International Convention on Migrant Workers through the Law on Migrant Worker Protection, a stronger legal basis for the government and other stakeholders to take action in ensuring the protection and the safety of our migrant workers, and to empower their families.
With regard to irregular migration caused by armed conflict and violence, Indonesia has demonstrated its commitment to end the humanitarian crisis in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. The violence faced by the Rohingyas in all of its forms and manifestation was a serious threat to global peace and security. Indonesia initiated the diplomatic means to disclose access for humanitarian aid while encouraged transparency and openness in refugee protection and management.

Indonesia aided health and education facilities, and temporary shelter for the Rohingyas; a concrete realization following the visit of Indonesian President Joko Widodo in January 2018 and the Vice Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Fadli Zon in December 2017 to the refugee camp in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Intensive communication and improved cooperation between the sending and receiving  countries are the key in ensuring the safety of all migrants and protecting their rights. In practice, it should be supported by the formulation of comprehensive national policies.

Related to this, I would like to emphasize the importance of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) and the Global Compact for Refugees (GCR), which has entered the second round of negotiation. To provide positive impacts for migrants and refugees, the two instruments must accommodate the views of all stakeholders, including parliamentarians. The GCM and GCR should not be focused solely on the technical aspects of border control, detention facility, and mechanisms of deportation, return, and reintegration; but most importantly on the safety and the wellbeing of migrants and refugees. In a democratic world, these people have all the rights to live, and to be free from fear and discrimination. Yet, they also have to be able to adapt with the new situation and the norms in the receiving countries.

To conclude, I assure you that theGeneva Council on International Affairs and Development (GCIAD) has the necessary capacity in raising the awareness of all parties on the importance of intensive cooperation and communication. I personally expect the GCIAD to promote the role of parliaments in formulating international policies, including in migrant and refugee management.

Thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum Wr. Wb.