STRENGTHENING SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RESILIENCE OF INDONESIAN MIGRANT WORKERS IN SOUTH KOREA THROUGH A COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACH Raharjo, Iwan Sugihartono, Etin Solihatin
Universitas Negeri Jakarta
Abstract
The resilience of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) in South Korea has become a crucial issue, particularly in the context of social and cultural adaptation. Many workers face challenges such as language barriers, cultural differences in the workplace, limited access to labor rights information, and a lack of social networks, which often lead to stress, discrimination, and vulnerability to exploitation. This community service program aimed to strengthen the social and cultural resilience of Indonesian migrant workers through a community-based approach. The activities included cultural adaptation training, legal literacy workshops on labor rights and obligations, conflict management skills development, and the establishment of solidarity-based migrant worker communities. The program was implemented in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul, PMI Association, and IMNIDA community, and supported by six Indonesian universities under the ALPTKNI consortium. Methods used encompassed socialization, training, mentoring, digital platform development, and ongoing community engagement. The outcomes indicated increased awareness of labor rights, improved cultural adaptation skills, and stronger social solidarity among participants. Furthermore, the establishment of long-term partnerships with local organizations ensured program sustainability. This initiative not only contributed to the protection and empowerment of Indonesian migrant workers in South Korea but also served as a replicable model for similar interventions in other destination countries. The program also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), highlighting the strategic role of higher education institutions in global community empowerment and cultural diplomacy.
Keywords: Social and cultural resilience- Indonesian migrant workers- community empowerment- South Korea- labor rights.
