Together with Chubb Life, Dompet Dhuafa Supports Community Empowerment through Financial Literacy for Former Indonesian Migrant Workers

SRAGEN, CENTRAL JAVA — Dompet Dhuafa together with Chubb Life held an event entitled “Literacy for the Country & Chubb Life Indonesia’s Support for Women and MSME Activists” on Saturday (11/01/2024), in Sragen Regency. This event was also held in collaboration with the Sragen Department of Manpower and Transmigration (Disnakertrans).

The event, which also included a training program, was designed to improve the entrepreneurial skills and economic independence of former Indonesian Migrant Workers, especially female migrant workers. The series of events consisted of entrepreneurship training, distribution of social assistance in the form of basic necessities and oven tangkring, technical support to develop businesses, and financial management literacy support.

“We want to help women achieve success and economic independence. This empowerment not only improves family welfare, but also strengthens the local economy,” said Wahyu Setiawan, representative of Chubb Life Indonesia.

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Female former Indonesian Migrant Workers in Central Java enthusiastically participated in the “Literacy for the Country & Chubb Life Indonesia’s Support for Women and MSME Activists” event.

Sumitro, a representative from the Sragen Manpower and Transmigration Office, explained that every year Sragen sends as many as 2,000 migrant workers. This is a large number. For this reason, Sumitro feels that this kind of training program is needed by former migrant workers, especially women, so that the welfare of their families can be managed properly.

“Every year, Sragen Regency sends approximately two thousand Indonesian Migrant Workers. This cooperation is very strategic for Indonesian Migrant Workers in Sragen. Through this training and financial literacy, we hope that the mothers of former Indonesian Migrant Workers can develop sustainable businesses and improve family welfare,” he said.

“Literacy for the Country & Chubb Life Indonesia’s Support for Women and MSME Activists” class.
“Literacy for the Country & Chubb Life Indonesia’s Support for Women and MSME Activists” class.

On the other hand, Zaini Tafrikhan as Branch Manager of Dompet Dhuafa Central Java, hopes that the program can have a positive impact on the community. At the same time, it shows Dompet Dhuafa’s commitment to community empowerment.

“This collaboration proves our commitment in supporting community empowerment in a sustainable manner. We hope this program can have a positive impact on the community,” Zaini said.

The Importance of Financial Literacy for Ex-Migrant Workers

Based on World Bank data, more than 78 percent of Indonesian Migrant Workers face challenges in managing the income they earn while working abroad. Lack of understanding about financial management means that many of them do not have long-term savings or sustainable businesses after returning home.

Survey results from Migrant CARE show that only 23 percent of former migrant workers are able to invest their income into productive businesses. Most others are trapped in economic hardship, due to a lack of financial education and a well-thought-out financial plan.

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“Literacy for the Country & Chubb Life Indonesia’s Support for Women and MSME Activists” class.

Through this program, Chubb Life and Dompet Dhuafa seek to bridge the financial literacy gap and provide opportunities for former migrant workers to start sustainable businesses.

The benefits of this training program include improving women’s entrepreneurial skills, helping women achieve economic independence, improving family welfare, and strengthening the local economy. (Dompet Dhuafa)

Text and photo: DD Central Java

Editor: Ronna