Revision of Law No. 18/2017, KemenP2MI Provides Legal Protection for Indonesian Seafarers and Fishermen

The Indonesian Ministry for the Protection of Migrant Workers (KemenP2MI) is finalizing a draft revision of Law No. 18 of 2017 on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers ("Law 18/2017"). The amendment will introduce several new provisions, including the recognition of crew members (ABK) and fishing seafarers as Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) who must be protected by the state.

"Since it is already included in the 2025 Priority National Legislative Program (Prolegnas), we hope it can be discussed in the House of Representatives' Legislative Body (Baleg DPR) by mid-next year for enactment," said Zulfikar Ahmad Tawalla, Deputy Minister of KemenP2MI, to Hukumonline.

Substantially, the draft revision of Law 18/2017 will introduce several new points, including clauses on empowerment, promotion, and capacity building for migrant workers abroad.

It also includes additional protection for ABK and fishing seafarers as part of PMI, in line with the Constitutional Court's ruling on the judicial review of Article 4 paragraph 1 letter c of Law 18/2017.

"Yes, we are processing everything, including the protection and placement of Indonesian crew members and seafarers as migrant workers," he concluded.