Integrative Model in Mitigating the Impact of International Labor Migration on Family Left Behind: Case Study in Indramayu District, Indonesia

Abstract

This model is integration between government, Non-Government Organization, state-owned bank and communities in addressing the impact of international labor migration on family left behind. The development of the model was based on a case study conducted in Indonesian international labor migrants source village in Indramayu District, West Java Province, where a lot of women there travel internationally for work as TKI (Indonesian migrant worker) and leave behind their children in their village. Mostly, villages in this district had a long history of international labor migration as there were high demands for housemaids to be employed in Middle East. The study offers new evidence that besides having positives impacts such as generating more income, international labor migration also having social cost especially on the education and health condition of their children, caregiver and their spouse. Those negative impacts also include many female migrants left their children at home to be cared for by their caregiver (mostly grandparents), reproduction health matter and lack of knowledge for managing the remittances so they tend to use their money for consumptive needs instead of buying economic assets. Actually, the solution of problems experienced by migrant worker and their family was already established by the Government of Indonesia but the implementation were handled by each sector and have not had involved the community. Therefore, the model is designed to be feasible and sustainable in community settings and fully involved both government and private sectors. The government sectors related to this model are Directorate of Population Impact Analysis of BKKBN (The Indonesia National Population and Family Planning Board) as a leading sector, National Board of The Placement and Protection of Indonesian Overseas Workers, Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection; while non-government organization is Kita dan Buah Hati foundation. The companies include People’s Bank of Indonesia (PT. BRI Persero) and local industries. In this model, companies providing their corporate social responsibility programs for implementation of the model. Besides, the role of banking is significant in implementing migrant worker family financial planning.