Social protection system framework for female migrant workers (FMW) in the informal sector

51267 RECOMMENDATION SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEM FRAMEWORK FOR FEMALE MIGRANT WORKERS (FMW) IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR KEMENTERIAN KOORDINATOR BIDANG KESEJAHTERAAN RAKYAT REPUBLIK INDONESIA  SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEM FRAMEWORK 2 FOR FEMALE MIGRANT WORKERS (FMW) IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEM FRAMEWORK FOR FEMALE MIGRANT WORKERS (FMW) IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR 1. BASIS 1.1. Empirical basis/ field facts The number of Female Migrant Workers (FMW) from Indonesia working overseas experiences an increase from year to year. From 1994 up to June 2005 it is recorded that there were 2.762.066 FMW or approximately 72.5% of the total number of Indonesian migrant workers (Placement Data at www.tki.or.id) The majority of these FMW work in the informal sector (90%) with the majority chooses to work as household maids. Aside from solving the problem of scarcity of employment opportunities at home, the departure of FMW) also produces significant amount of foreign exchange through the remittance of money earned abroad. Their role in the national economy is quite significant, the more so when linked to the impact of the economic crisis that engulfed the country in 1997. It's a wonder that they are frequently called as "foreign exchange heroes". The departure of FMW at the same time has also opened up employment opportunities in the form of openings that starting from fulfil the needs of migrant workers and their families, as well as in the form of productive economic activities that migrant households develop. This, too, shows that the huge efforts of the FMW to make a living overseas are significant not only for themselves and their families, but also for the community and the government, at the local as well as the central level. However, the true experience of the FMW shows that becoming a migrant worker, particularly those working in the informal sector (especially household maids), is not "easy". As women and migrant workers, FMW occupy a weak position from the social, cultural and economic perspective in their village of origin as well as in the country of destination.