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INDONESIAN TRANSNATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKERS: LIFE EXPERIENCES AND STRATEGIES FOR OVERCOMING POST-CRISIS CHALLENGES

Jurnal Al-Ijtimaiyyah · Vol. 11 No. 1 (2025) · pp. 17–33

DOI
10.22373/al-ijtimaiyyah.v11i1.30213
ISSN
2461-0755, 2654-5217
Published
2025-10-27
Publisher
Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh
Language
eng
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

Abstract

This study explores the life experiences of returned Indonesian female migrant domestic workers (FMDWs) residing in coastal areas, with a particular focus on the challenges they face upon reintegration and their strategies for overcoming post-crisis adversities. Conducted in Indramayu District, West Java, the research adopts a qualitative approach involving demographic surveys of 105 participants and in-depth interviews with 20 selected respondents. The findings reveal that returned FMDWs experience significant economic hardship, health vulnerabilities, and social insecurity, often exacerbated by gender-based roles and limited institutional support. Despite these constraints, many women demonstrate resilience and agency in rebuilding their lives. The study, framed through a gender-sensitive social work perspective, emphasizes the need for multi-level interventions including legal reform, family and community engagement, and stronger collaboration between sending and receiving countries. The article concludes by proposing sustainable reintegration and empowerment strategies to enhance the well-being of FMDWs and strengthen the resilience of their communities.

Keywords

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Amiruddin KubaAffiliation unknown2
Amiruddin -Affiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://jurnal.ar-raniry.ac.id/index.php/PMI/oai, first harvested 6 Nov 2026, last seen 8 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
<oai_dc:dc xmlns="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:oai_dc="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc/" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc/  http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc.xsd">
	<dc:title xml:lang="en">INDONESIAN TRANSNATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKERS: LIFE EXPERIENCES AND STRATEGIES FOR OVERCOMING POST-CRISIS CHALLENGES</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Tandos, Rosita</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">El-Zieny, Asma</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Female Migrant Domestic Workers</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Post-crisis Reintegration</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Gender-based Challenges</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Resilience</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Empowerment Strategies</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">This study explores the life experiences of returned Indonesian female migrant domestic workers (FMDWs) residing in coastal areas, with a particular focus on the challenges they face upon reintegration and their strategies for overcoming post-crisis adversities. Conducted in Indramayu District, West Java, the research adopts a qualitative approach involving demographic surveys of 105 participants and in-depth interviews with 20 selected respondents. The findings reveal that returned FMDWs experience significant economic hardship, health vulnerabilities, and social insecurity, often exacerbated by gender-based roles and limited institutional support. Despite these constraints, many women demonstrate resilience and agency in rebuilding their lives. The study, framed through a gender-sensitive social work perspective, emphasizes the need for multi-level interventions including legal reform, family and community engagement, and stronger collaboration between sending and receiving countries. The article concludes by proposing sustainable reintegration and empowerment strategies to enhance the well-being of FMDWs and strengthen the resilience of their communities.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2025-10-27</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:type xml:lang="en">Peer-reviewed Article</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://jurnal.ar-raniry.ac.id/index.php/PMI/article/view/30213</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.22373/al-ijtimaiyyah.v11i1.30213</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">Jurnal Al-Ijtimaiyyah; Vol. 11 No. 1 (2025); 17-33</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2461-0755</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2654-5217</dc:source>
	<dc:source>10.22373/al-ijtimaiyyah.v11i1</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://jurnal.ar-raniry.ac.id/index.php/PMI/article/view/30213/10731</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2025 Rosita Tandos, Asma El-Zieny</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>