Jakarta, 2 September 2022 – IOM and Pulih Foundation (Yayasan Pulih) held a series of online webinars to support the mental well-being of migrant workers abroad and former migrant workers on 26, 28, and 29 August 2022. In total, there were 460 migrant workers returnees from over twenty countries of destination, as well as Indonesian migrant workers currently working in Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan Province of China, participated in the sessions.

“Migrant workers’ access to mental-health support has been one of the often-overlooked issue. COVID-19 pandemic signified the need to address this as migrants’ vulnerabilities heightened with various uncertainties they face, such as being stranded in a foreign country, decreased income, and job termination ,” explained Gita Agnestasia, Temporary National Project Officer of IOM Indonesia.

In each session, migrant workers discussed various mental health issues they faced prior, during, and post-migration. In this regard, IOM and Pulih invited Hariyanto and Maizidah Salas as the Chief and Coordinator for Education and Socialization of the Indonesian Labour Migrants Union (SBMI), and Anis Hidayah, the Head of the Migration Studies Center at Migrant Care. The three panelists provided an overview of the issues that paved the way for rigorous discussion with the participants. Followingly, participants were introduced to the various techniques by Pulih's psychologists on how to overcome situations that may often result in distress and other adverse psychological condition among migrant workers, and such skills include stress management and relaxation.

Yosephine Dian Indraswari, Executive Director of Yayasan Pulih stressed that "the mental health of migrant workers is a significant concern and requires immediate attention by the government as well as NGOs. Migrant workers face various situations such as adjustment, difficult and unsafe work situations, violence, and even trafficking in persons. The magnitude of the need for migrant workers to discuss and find solutions to their mental health issues is critical.”

During the webinars, participating migrant workers found the session to be helpful. Some of them also wish this activity could be held regularly since they could directly feel the positive personal impact of attending. One of the participants expressed her hope that migrant workers could receive further education on other mental health-related topics, to help them cope with various challenges they face while working overseas.

In parallel with organizing the webinars, IOM and Pulih Foundation is currently conducting online psychosocial counselling for active and former migrant workers.  The online counselling is open until November 2022 with limited slots. Those who are interested could register themselves through the following link: http://bit.ly/DaftarKonselingGratis

The cooperation between IOM and Pulih Foundation in providing mental health and psychosocial support to Indonesian migrant workers is made possible through IOM’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Programme, funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) of the United States’ Department of State.

For more information about the project, please contact Gita Agnestasia, IOM´s National Project Officer at gagnestasia@iom.int

For media queries, please contact Ariani Hasanah Soejoeti, IOM's National Media and Communications Officer in Indonesia at asoejoeti@iom.int/08122726308.