GCRF_NF154: Socio-economic and health impact of Covid-19 on international female migrants and their left-behind families in Indonesia
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Portsmouth
Department Name: Sch of Health and Care Professions
Abstract
Rationale:
There are about 1.3 million women from Indonesia working abroad, mainly in the Middle East and South East Asia, as maids and carers in private houses. They leave their families in Indonesia. Husbands who live in Indonesia look after their children. Migrant wives send money for family maintenance. Migrant women are generally vulnerable to neglect by employers and recipient countries because of their gender, poor economic situation, work status, nationality. There are no studies on the impact of Covid-19 on migrants' access to health care; job losses; wage cuts; delayed wages; issues around returning home; welfare of left behind family. Reliable data on the impact of Covid-19 are urgently needed for the government to take timely action.
Project aim:
Study socio-economic and health impact of Covid-19 on international female migrants and their families in Indonesia, and make policy recommendations to the Indonesian government to minimise negative consequences.
Evidence needed:
Gather data on the impact of Covid-19 on health, economic, and social welfare of migrants and family via household survey, interviews and online survey.
Final output:
Rapid and final policy recommendation papers for the Government of Indonesia.
What are the benefits of this study?
Adoption of rapid response recommendation by the Government of Indonesia in to their policy/programme for Covid-19. Enable migrant women to access Covid-19 tests and treatment if needed, economic support to those who need it most, facilitate travel to return home, social support to the migrants and families.
There are about 1.3 million women from Indonesia working abroad, mainly in the Middle East and South East Asia, as maids and carers in private houses. They leave their families in Indonesia. Husbands who live in Indonesia look after their children. Migrant wives send money for family maintenance. Migrant women are generally vulnerable to neglect by employers and recipient countries because of their gender, poor economic situation, work status, nationality. There are no studies on the impact of Covid-19 on migrants' access to health care; job losses; wage cuts; delayed wages; issues around returning home; welfare of left behind family. Reliable data on the impact of Covid-19 are urgently needed for the government to take timely action.
Project aim:
Study socio-economic and health impact of Covid-19 on international female migrants and their families in Indonesia, and make policy recommendations to the Indonesian government to minimise negative consequences.
Evidence needed:
Gather data on the impact of Covid-19 on health, economic, and social welfare of migrants and family via household survey, interviews and online survey.
Final output:
Rapid and final policy recommendation papers for the Government of Indonesia.
What are the benefits of this study?
Adoption of rapid response recommendation by the Government of Indonesia in to their policy/programme for Covid-19. Enable migrant women to access Covid-19 tests and treatment if needed, economic support to those who need it most, facilitate travel to return home, social support to the migrants and families.
Organisations
- University of Portsmouth (Lead Research Organisation)
- Migrant Care (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Government of Indonesia (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- National Population and Family Planning Board. (Collaboration)
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust (Project Partner)
- Centre For Development Studies (Project Partner)
- Regional Development Agency Malang (Project Partner)
Publications
Gayatri M
(2022)
Support in the Battle against COVID-19: A National Qualitative Study among Midwives in Indonesia
in Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery
Jamroni M
(2021)
Village Community Resilience in Handling the Covid-19 Pandemic
in Multicultural Education
Jamroni M
(2020)
Social-Economic Changes of Village Communities During the Covid-19 Pandemic
in PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt
Noviryani M
(2021)
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Gender Mainstreaming Implementation in 2020 in Batu City, East Java
in Jurnal Studi Gender
Rosalinda H
(2024)
Indonesian Government Policy Regarding Working Hours for Indonesian Female Migrant Workers Abroad in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era
in SALASIKA Indonesian Journal of Gender Women Child and Social Inclusion s Studies
Rosalinda H
(2021)
Dinamika Masyarakat di Masa Pandemi
Rosalinda, R
(2021)
Dinamika Masyarakat di Masa Pandemi
Sujarwoto
(2021)
Ketidakadilan Sosial, Kapitalisme, dan Demokrasi
Sukesi S
(2020)
Return Women Migrant Workers' Contribution in a Cooperative-Based Economy and Early Childhood Education
in Talent Development & Excellence
| Description | 1. The delay of remittances sent by migrant worker during the pandemic has caused economic problems for their left-behind family. The key problem was due to inability of migrant women to send money to Indonesia due to closure of money transfer facilities in shops. 2. There were salary cut and job loss for those who were working as part time workers. 3. The national government has issued umbrella policies through Presidential Decree Number 11 of 2020 on The Declaration of a Public Health Emergency due to COVID-4. The Ministry of Manpower, Government of Indonesia responded by issuing the decree Number 151 of 2020 on Temporary Suspension of Placement of Indonesian Migrant Workers. When the crisis reduced, the ministry revoked Decree Number 151 of 2020 and declared Decree Number 294 of 2020 on Implementation of the Placement of Indonesian Migrant Workers During the Period of Adaptation to New Habits. But the policies are very general. There were no practical guidelines to address migrant and their family's specific issues. 4. The number of overseas missions' staff were not sufficient to handle the massive crisis. 5. Migrant workers in Hong Kong and Taiwan had fewer had problems during the Covid-19 pandemic compared to migrant workers in Malaysia and Middle East. 6. In the local context, specific programs were not found to address migrant and their family. They were not perceived as vulnerable groups. 7. Migrant women expressed anxiety about health and economic condition of the left behind family in Indonesia. 8. Migrant women were worried about getting infected. 9. Migrant women worked extra hours and extended working load to serve their stay-at-home employers. |
| Exploitation Route | By contracting lead researchers via email |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Healthcare Government Democracy and Justice Other |
| Description | 1. Research-related impact: • Type of problem/knowledge: Addressing research gap - The research provides new insight regarding the socio-economic and health impact of Covid-19 on Indonesian female migrants and their left behind families. • Publication and papers: Research findings have been presented in several international conference that address issues related to women (research findings were presented at the international conference - International Journal of Gender, Culture and Society (ICGCS) 2021). It also have been published as book chapter regarding the impact of Covid-19 on the children of Indonesian Female migrants. • Research network: University of Portsmouth, University of Brawijaya, and NGO (Migrant Care). • Communication: The main objective of our communication and visibility strategy is to ensure communication reaches relevant ministries, impact multipliers, community groups, and the general public. We used several communication methods including newspapers, dissemination workshop, media (Local TV), and university website to provide updates about the project findings and policy recommendations. 2. Policy Impact: • Level of policy-making: Local Government in Malang City • Type of policy: Service policy (assistance programme for left-behind family members) • Nature of policy impact: Our research findings had been used by the authority on at leas two response program: food assistance program for female migrants families and community based parenting program for left-behind families and children. The findings of our research have been used by Malang authority to inform village administrators in the district in administrating target group of food assistance program. Before we presenting the findings, the authority did not include left behind families member and female migrants workers as target group of the program. Through our project, we were able to show robust evidence to Malang authority showing them the real condition of female migrants and her left behind families. Hence, the authority decided to include them as one of target group of the program. • Policy network: 14 policy makers from National and Local governments were invited during research dissemination workshop on 9 April 2021. • Political capital: This research contributed to help the Indonesian government in mapping the policy or programmes regarding the economic, health and social welfare of female migrants and their left-behind family. 3. Societal Impact: • Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour: On 1 November 2021 we conducted the training in Girimulyo Village, Gedangan District, Malang Regency. 27 migrant worker families attended the training which contribute to the improvement of the human resources of the families of female migrant workers in the pattern of child-rearing in the Village. • Social capital and empowerment: Our community capacity building program on community-based parenting for migrant workers families was also inspired the authority in Malang to conduct similar trainings in other villages. In total, 127 families of female migrants' workers had been trained by the authority. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Impact Types | Societal Economic Policy & public services |
| Description | Participation in Policy Making in Women Empowerment Forum by the Indonesian Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Policy Brief |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Impact | The Policy briefs provide key recommendations for the mitigating impact of the pandemic and are focused on returned female migrants as well as female migrant workers who still work abroad. Later, the policy briefs were also presented during the Policy Making Discussion with the Indonesian Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection on 21 December 2021. |
| URL | https://globalhealth.ub.ac.id/policy-briefs/ |
| Description | Hibah Penelitian Internal Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik |
| Amount | Rp16,700,000 (IDR) |
| Organisation | University of Brawijaya |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Start | 04/2023 |
| End | 10/2023 |
| Description | Hibah Penguatan Penelitian Pusat Studi |
| Amount | Rp68,000,000 (IDR) |
| Organisation | University of Brawijaya |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Start | 05/2022 |
| End | 11/2022 |
| Title | Household survey data (sample size 600) |
| Description | Household survey conducted in Malang Regency, East Java, Indonesia Data contains demographic, migration status data, and Covid-19 testing and treatment |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | NA |
| Title | Online survey of international female migrants from Indonesia (sample size: 2,827) |
| Description | This is the first wave of online survey data |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | NA |
| Description | Migrant Care Indonesia |
| Organisation | Migrant CARE |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | We are jointly conducting online survey on Indonesian Female Migrants |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provides a platform to disseminate study findings (staff time/web platform) |
| Impact | online survey of female migrants |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Ministry of Manpower |
| Organisation | Government of Indonesia |
| Department | Ministry of Manpower |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Provide research data as an input for policy recommendation |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provides a platform to obtain national government input (staff time and confidential data regarding female migrants) |
| Impact | Rapid policy recommendation |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection |
| Organisation | Government of Indonesia |
| Department | Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Provide research data as an input for policy recommendation |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provide a platform to obtain national government input (staff time and confidential data) |
| Impact | Rapid policy recommendation |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Regional Development Planning Agency of Malang |
| Organisation | Government of Indonesia |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Provide research data as an input for local policy recommendation |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provide a local platform to obtain local government input (staff time and fieldwork support) |
| Impact | rapid policy recommendation |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | The National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) |
| Organisation | National Population and Family Planning Board. |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) Indonesia also contributed to the development of research. In 2022, BKKBN Indonesia and the research team established a Southeast Asia Biennial Conference on Population and Health that also discussed the research finding and collaboration. BKKBN Indonesia was one of the sponsors of the conference, and PB Centre was the host. |
| Collaborator Contribution | BKKBN Indonesia was one of the research partners from stakeholders for this research project that also contributed as the sponsor of the biennial conference related to the research findings. BKKBN and PB Centre have been collaborating in research activities since 2017. The collaboration contract between two parties was ceased in 2022 and still under review for extension. |
| Impact | 1. The establishment of The Southeast Asia Biennial Conference that has been held two times, in 2018 and 2022 2. Journal publication |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Article for Local News (Prasetya UB) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | The research finding related to the economic impact of migrant workers in Malang was released as press release for local online news in Universitas Brawijaya in 2021 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://prasetya.ub.ac.id/riset-ub-covid-19-perlambat-pengiriman-uang-pekerja-migran-asal-malang/ |
| Description | Article for National Newspaper (National Kompas) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | In 2021, several Online News articles (local and national) were written in an attempt to address the findings and issues related to the research. The target viewer was nationwide because it was published online both in national and local newspapers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/05/05/19100761/migrant-care-20-persen-pekerja-migran-indonesia... |
| Description | Article in Global News Platform |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | The research team wrote an article in The Conversation in 2020 to describe the urgency of the research plan. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://theconversation.com/indonesian-families-struggle-as-pandemic-cuts-1-5bn-from-the-money-migra... |
| Description | Article in National Newspaper (Antara News) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In 2021, several Online News articles (local and national) were written in an attempt to address the findings and issues related to the research. The target viewer was nationwide because it was published online both in national and local newspapers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.antaranews.com/berita/1983630/riset-ub-pandemi-perlambat-pengiriman-uang-pekerja-migran-... |
| Description | International Conference on Gender, Culture and Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 30-31 August 2021, the research team participated in the 1st International Conference on Gender, Culture and Society (ICGCS) that was held online in Padang, Indonesia. The team presented about the Gender Issues on The Impact of Covid-19 Among Female Migrants and Families. The conference was attended by more than 130 participants from 7 countries including Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. The conference proceeding was published by the European Alliance for Innovation in 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://icgcs.conference.unand.ac.id/home/ |
| Description | International and Interdisciplinary Conference - The rise of Asia 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The research team participated in the International and Interdisciplinary Conference - The Rise of Asia 2022 which was held online on 9-11 February 2022 in Paris and Le Havre. The conference topic was "COVID-19 FROM ASIA TO THE WORLD: WHAT ASSESSMENT AND WHAT PERSPECTIVE FOR A COMMON FUTURE?". Represented by Mrs Henny Rosalinda, the team delivered research finding on The Economic Impact of Covid-19 on the International Female Migrants and their Left-behind Family in Indonesia. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://bandungspirit.org/spip.php?rubrique9 |
| Description | Policy Workshop and Research Dissemination with policymakers and stakeholders on 9 April 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | On 9 April 2021, Portsmouth-Brawijaya Centre has held a Policy Workshop and Research Dissemination with relevant policymakers and stakeholders, to report and discuss our findings regarding the Socio-economic and health impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Indonesian Female Migrant workers and their left-behind families. The workshop was attended by more than 20 participants, including relevant participants from the governments, related organisations, and also researchers from the University of Brawijaya and the University of Portsmouth. The purpose of the activity is as a medium for discussion between the Research Team and related parties, to help analyse the findings of the research, as well as provide input and responses regarding policy recommendations related to the problems of Indonesian female migrant workers and their left-behind families, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The discussion occurred between the research team and policymakers in regards to the update of the government's action and the research findings. All parties shared their opinion and gave input or feedback on the findings. In the concluding remarks, we suggested possible policy recommendations to the policymakers, in order to solve the problem or issue related to the well-being of Female migrants and their left-behind families. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | The 4th SEASIA Biennial Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The research team participated as a discussant in the 4th Southeast Asian Studies in Asia (SEASIA) Biennial Conference 2022: Managing Disruption, Developing Resilience for a Better Southeast Asia. The topic of the discussion was the Diaspora Struggle and Cooperation During the Global Pandemic. At this event, Mrs Henny Rosalinda also shared her research findings on female migrant conditions during COVID-19, The consortium was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on June 9-11, 2022. The Guest of Honor was Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Prof. Dr. Muhadjir Effendy, and keynote speeches were delivered by Dr. Yayan G.H. Mulyana, head of the Foreign Policy Strategy Agency of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Prof. Bart Barendregt of the Leiden Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Sociology. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://seasia-consortium.org/seasia-2022-conference/ |