Indonesia Ranks Second in Overseas Employment of Caregivers with 50,648 Workers in 2023
- Publish
- 2024/12/06
- Update
- 2025/08/16
- You can read this article in 4minutes
Indonesia is known for sending a large number of migrant workers abroad. Among the most popular occupations are domestic workers and caregivers, with many Indonesians employed in these roles overseas.
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Introduction
Between January and November 2023, caregivers ranked as the second-largest group among Indonesian overseas workers, with a total exceeding 50,000 individuals. This article introduces Indonesian migrant caregivers through data and video content.
Precautions when conducting an on-site inspection in Indonesia
Some visitors consider, "My primary purpose is to conduct maintenance work at the factory, but the visa application process appears cumbersome. I will simply enter on a Visa on Arrival (VOA) and carry out the work discreetly."
However, there have been numerous cases where entering without the appropriate visa for the intended activities has resulted in significant legal and operational issues. It is therefore strongly advised to obtain the correct visa prior to travel.
Here are the types of visas and their purposes.
Indonesian Migrant Caregivers in Numbers
Top Occupations Among Indonesian Migrant Workers: Domestic Workers Rank First, Caregivers Second
Prepared by our company based on GoodStats “Top 10 Occupations of Indonesian Migrant Workers in 2023”
The Center for Manpower Policy and Development (Pusbangjaknaker) of Indonesia announced the number of Indonesian migrant workers sent abroad by occupation between January and November 2023.
The top occupation was domestic worker (housekeeping service), with 64,168 individuals. Known in Indonesian as asisten rumah tangga, these domestic workers typically work as non-live-in housekeepers. In contrast, those ranked seventh, referred to as pekerja domestik, are usually live-in domestic workers. Both primarily engage in household chores and childcare.
Domestic workers are in high demand in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Due to the prevalence of Islamic countries in the Middle East※ and geographic proximity to Southeast Asia, these regions are accessible and culturally comfortable for Indonesian workers, making them popular destinations. Furthermore, the practice of hiring domestic workers and babysitters is widespread within Indonesia itself, which likely contributes to this trend.
Ranking second were caregivers, totaling 50,648 individuals. In countries like Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, the combination of aging populations and labor shortages has led to high demand for Indonesian migrant caregivers and others.
The third most common occupation was plantation workers, totaling 24,259 individuals. There is strong demand for labor in plantations—known locally as “plantations”—especially in neighboring Malaysia and certain Middle Eastern countries, attracting large numbers of Indonesian migrant workers.
Other occupations ranked below the top three include: general laborers (primarily manual labor), manufacturing operators, construction workers, live-in domestic workers, fishermen, non-manufacturing operators, and other manufacturing workers (non-operators).
Source: GoodStats “Top 10 Occupations of Indonesian Migrant Workers in 2023”
※ Deployment of Indonesian Workers to the Middle East
Since May 2015, the Indonesian government has implemented a moratorium (temporary suspension) on labor deployment to 21 Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia and Iran. This measure was taken in response to the frequent occurrence of problems and the lack of adequate legal protection for workers in those countries. However, there are still cases where workers are sent through unofficial channels.
Indonesian Caregivers Working in Japan
There are four main pathways for foreign nationals to work in the caregiving sector in Japan (listed in order of the number of residents under each status):
- Utilization of the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program
- Utilization of the Technical Intern Training Program
- Acquisition of the “Caregiver” residence status
- Participation through Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)
Among these, the number of Indonesian caregivers in Japan as of 2024 is as follows:
- 9,760 under the Specified Skilled Worker status (as of June 2024)
- 3,124 as technical intern trainees (fiscal year 2023)
- 1,160 under the “Caregiver” residence status (as of the end of 2023)
- Nearly 300 individuals arrive each year through the EPA framework
Altogether, this brings the total number of Indonesian caregivers working in Japan to over approximately 15,000 as of 2024.
Indonesian caregivers are expected to become increasingly vital to Japan’s caregiving industry. At the same time, for many people in Indonesia—where unemployment rates are high and wage levels are lower compared to Japan—working in Japan represents a crucial opportunity for achieving financial independence and supporting their families.
Sources:
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, “Status of Acceptance of Foreign Nationals in the Nursing Care Sector”
Organization for Technical Intern Training (OTIT), “FY2023 Business Statistics | 1-6 Number of Certified Technical Intern Training Plans by Nationality/Region and Occupation (Composition Ratio)”
Immigration Services Agency, “Statistics on Foreign Residents (formerly Registered Foreign Nationals Statistics) | End of 2023 / End of 2020 ‘By Nationality/Region and Residence Status (Purpose of Stay)’”
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Indonesian Migrant Caregivers Through Video
Vocational Training for Caregiving
Watch the Video
This video shows the training center of a company engaged in the dispatch of nurses, caregivers, and babysitters. The trainees shown here study caregiving for a period of three months with the goal of working in Hong Kong. Although only women appear in the video, male trainees are, of course, also present.
Indonesian Caregivers Working in Japan
Watch the Video
This woman is an Indonesian caregiver currently working in Japan. As seen in the video, she speaks fluent Japanese and appears to have already been entrusted with a wide range of responsibilities. Other videos also show her interacting closely with facility residents and being well-liked by them.
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Domestic corporation
Recruitment Agency
We set up a domestic capital company in Indonesia using the name of a former employee from Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker program. At first, communication was smooth, but once the business became profitable, they claimed ownership, seized bank accounts and contracts, and disrupted client relations. A contract was in place but ineffective, leaving us to regret relying solely on trust.
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Foreign-owned corporation
Machinery Manufacturer
We hired a local consulting firm to set up our foreign-owned company in Indonesia, but responses were slow and explanations kept changing. Repeated requests for extra documents and shifting requirements disrupted our schedule, and the process took nearly a year, delaying our business launch. We learned the importance of clearly defining project management and responsibilities in the contract.
Growing Demand for Indonesian Caregivers Both Domestically and Internationally
Indonesian migrant workers are increasingly sought after in many countries, particularly in roles such as domestic workers and caregivers. Caregivers, in particular, play an essential role in countries like Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, where populations are rapidly aging.
As Indonesia itself also experiences an aging population, it is becoming more common for caregivers who have worked abroad—such as in Japan—to return home and continue their careers domestically. This trend may become a standard pathway in the future.
