GCRF_NF154: Socio-economic and health impact of Covid-19 on international female migrants and their left-behind families in Indonesia

Rationale: There are about 1.3 million women from Indonesia working abroad, mainly in the Middle East and South East Asia, as maids and carers in private houses. They leave their families in Indonesia. Husbands who live in Indonesia look after their children. Migrant wives send money for family maintenance. Migrant women are generally vulnerable to neglect by employers and recipient countries because of their gender, poor economic situation, work status, nationality. There are no studies on the impact of Covid-19 on migrants' access to health care; job losses; wage cuts; delayed wages; issues around returning home; welfare of left behind family. Reliable data on the impact of Covid-19 are urgently needed for the government to take timely action. Project aim: Study socio-economic and health impact of Covid-19 on international female migrants and their families in Indonesia, and make policy recommendations to the Indonesian government to minimise negative consequences. Evidence needed: Gather data on the impact of Covid-19 on health, economic, and social welfare of migrants and family via household survey, interviews and online survey. Final output: Rapid and final policy recommendation papers for the Government of Indonesia. What are the benefits of this study? Adoption of rapid response recommendation by the Government of Indonesia in to their policy/programme for Covid-19. Enable migrant women to access Covid-19 tests and treatment if needed, economic support to those who need it most, facilitate travel to return home, social support to the migrants and families.