Insurance Policies for Migrant Workers: Current Practices, Gaps and Solutions

The aims of this workshop are to assess the strength and weaknesses of the insurance and claims system for Indonesian migrant workers as well as to examine the role of insurance consortiums and the employment agencies in providing insurance for migrant workers. The workshop also provides a forum for dialogue to point the way forward in terms of policies on insurance and claim schemes.

Background

Till date, there are five appointed insurance consortiums for Indonesian migrant workers, as mandated by the Manpower Minister Decree No. 23 of 2008 on Insurance Scheme for Indonesian Workers. In addition, all employment agencies are obliged to provide insurance for their prospective migrant workers. The insurance provided should cover all stages of the migration process, from the pre-departure to the reintegration phase and the insurance policy should be kept by the migrant workers or their families for claiming process.

However, in spite of these requirements, many migrant workers neither receive information about their insurance rights, nor about the insurance and claim procedures overseas and in Indonesia. Additionally, when trying to claim insurance compensation, many migrant workers complain that excessively bureaucratic claims procedures pose obstacles to effectively qualifying for compensation.

Objectives

The aims of this workshop are to assess the strength and weaknesses of the insurance and claims system for Indonesian migrant workers as well as to examine the role of insurance consortiums and the employment agencies in providing insurance for migrant workers. The workshop also provides a forum for dialogue to point the way forward in terms of policies on insurance and claim schemes.

The workshop will examine the impact of the economic crisis on insurance policy and migrant workers, the existing insurance mechanisms and the protection schemes, as well as the procedures for insurance claims and the current payment practices. The workshop will also identify possible strategies to simplify the current insurance procedures and practices for Indonesian migrant workers.

Organizers

The ILO and the Provincial Board for Placement and Protection of Indonesian Overseas Workers.

Participants

50 invitees from government, migrant workers unions, employment agencies, consortiums, and academia.