Indonesian Migrant Workers as Foreign Exchange Heroes: ULM and PCINU Provide Legal Briefing in Taiwan
TAIPEI – In an effort to strengthen legal literacy for Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) abroad, Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) in collaboration with the Nahdlatul Ulama Special Branch Management (PCINU) Taiwan held a seminar themed “Legal Education for Migrant Worker Protection” at the PCINU Taiwan Secretariat, Saturday evening, May 31, 2025.
This seminar is part of the community service activities initiated by the ULM Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM) under the leadership of Prof. Sunardi, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. The event was attended by 77 participants, consisting of students and migrant workers who participated offline and online.
ULM Vice Rector, Dr. Iwan Aflanie, dr., M.Kes., Sp.F., SH., was present as the main speaker. In his presentation, he explained the importance of legal protection for migrant workers, especially those working in the domestic and manufacturing sectors in Taiwan—the third largest destination country after Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
“Migrant workers are foreign exchange heroes whose contributions are real to the national economy, including in the fiscal sector. So they should receive proper protection, including from a legal perspective,” said Dr. Iwan.
He also said that the legal system in Taiwan has similarities with Indonesia, because both adhere to civil law which prioritizes written law. Therefore, a basic understanding of the law is very important to protect yourself from the risk of fraud and exploitation.
Responding to this presentation, the Chairperson of Tanfidziyah PCINU Taiwan, Ustadz Muhammad Ghofur, S.Pd., M.Pd., expressed his hope that the legal insights provided could be applied in real terms by migrant workers in their daily lives.
“We hope that this seminar provides an understanding that can be a form of self-protection, so that migrant workers are not easily persuaded or deceived by irresponsible individuals,” he said.
The activity took place in a productive and interactive atmosphere. The participants actively conveyed their complaints and discussed directly related to the legal problems they faced while working in Taiwan. This seminar became a safe and rare space for PMI to access direct education from campus legal experts.
In addition to the seminar, the ULM delegation also explored institutional cooperation with the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech)—one of the world’s leading engineering campuses. This initiative is aimed at increasing the level of cooperation that was previously at the faculty level, now towards cross-institutional collaboration.
Prof. Iryanti, representative of the ULM Office of International Affairs (KUI), said that this exploration is important in an effort to build academic cooperation that has a concrete impact.
“We don’t want this cooperation to be merely symbolic. There must be student exchanges, collaborative research, and real strengthening of academic capacity,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of LPPM ULM, Dr. Ir. Yuslena Sari, conveyed LPPM’s commitment to continue expanding ULM’s role in global issues, especially those related to the protection and empowerment of Indonesian people abroad.
“ULM will continue to encourage cross-country collaboration as an active contribution strategy in sustainable development, not only at the local and national levels, but also in the international arena,” he said.
Through this activity, ULM confirms its position as a university that is adaptive and responsive to global challenges, and consistent in making community service an integral part of efforts to become a world-class campus.
In closing, Dr. Iwan conveyed ULM’s commitment to continue to collaborate with PCINU Taiwan in community empowerment programs abroad.
“God willing, this collaboration will continue and bring broad benefits, not only for Muslims but also for all Indonesian people abroad,” he concluded.
