Contextualizing Migration Policy Implementation in Indonesia: Discrepancies between Global Frameworks and Local Realities

Indonesia's migration policy implementation reveals significant tensions between global frameworks, local realities, and stakeholder interests. As a prominent case in the Global South, Indonesia's migration policies have been increasingly shaped by international norms and standards, primarily those established by Global North countries and institutions such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM). However, these frameworks often fail to capture the complex dynamics of migration within Indonesia, particularly regarding the protection of foreign workers and the realities of labor market needs.

This paper examines the discrepancy between internationally driven migration governance models and the practicalities of policy implementation in Indonesia, with a focus on labor migration. Drawing from over 16 years of academic research on international migration and employment rights in Indonesia, it analyzes how policies designed to align with international standards frequently overlook local migrant populations, resulting in inadequate protections and mismatches between policy targets and local socio-economic conditions. Through an in-depth analysis of local governance structures, labor market regulations, and the socio-economic realities of migrant communities, this study highlights the exclusion of local stakeholders from policy design processes and its impact on policy effectiveness.

The findings demonstrate that the migration governance profile in Indonesia is largely shaped by external actors, compromising the contextual relevance and independent assessment necessary for effective policy execution. This research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of migration governance by integrating local perspectives and highlighting the need for policies tailored to specific local conditions in the Global South. The Indonesian case offers critical insights into the broader challenges faced by countries in the Global South, emphasizing the necessity of moving beyond compliance-driven frameworks toward a contextually informed and locally inclusive approach to migration policy implementation.