FROM POLICIES TO ADVOCACY: A 14-YEARS JOURNEY OF INDONESIAN LABOUR MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v7i4.1355Keywords:
labour migration, migrant protection, migration governance, policy reform, Indonesia-Malaysia relationsAbstract
The policy and governance of Indonesian labour migration to Malaysia have had major changes between 2010 and 2025. This paper investigates the developments of the Indonesian labour migration through the following sections: policy developments, challenges of migrant workers, effectiveness of policy reforms, and the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs). This systematic literature review (SLR) draws together evidence from studies spanning the period 2010 to 2025, from a rights-based migration governance perspective. The results show that bilateral agreements have improved governance over labour migration, and that migrant protection mechanisms have been bolstered, notably with the signing of the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in 2011 and 2022. Despite this, there are several policy implementations, institutional coordination, labour exploitation and social vulnerability issues that continue to impact Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. The review also underscores the significant role played by NGOs and CBOs in advocacy, provision of services to migrants, and the promotion of their rights. Despite policy changes, there is still a great deal of policy implementation to policy formulation. The study suggests that better enforcement, multi-stakeholder cooperation and a rights-based approach are key to ensure more effective, inclusive, and sustainable governance of labour migration between Indonesia and Malaysia. This study is grounded in a rights‑based migration governance framework, which serves as the underpinning theory guiding the analysis of policy reforms, advocacy efforts, and migrant protection mechanisms.
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