Semarang, October 2, 2025 — The vulnerability of legal protection for holders of the Working Holiday Visa (WHV) in Australia became the central issue in the Research Dissemination Seminar titled “Beyond Working Holidays: Rethinking Legal Protection and Transnational Governance for Indonesian WHV Migrants in Australia”, organized by the Public Sector Collaboration Research Cluster, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Diponegoro University.
The seminar featured Hanung Nugraha S., Consul for Protocol and Consular Affairs at the Indonesian Consulate General in Melbourne, and Dr. Lanita Winata, MBA., BCom, ACC(Hons), CPAA, lecturer at Griffith University. The discussion was also supported by Prof. Hardi Warsono, MT, Head of the Public Sector Collaboration Research Cluster, known for his expertise in public sector collaboration.
The event was opened by Dr. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin, Dean of FISIP UNDIP, who highlighted the importance of addressing human rights protection for Indonesian WHV holders. He emphasized that this issue is directly relevant to the broader challenge of migrant worker protection at the global level.
In his presentation, Hanung Nugraha stressed the need for collaborative policies to ensure decent living conditions for WHV workers. He also emphasized the importance of pre-departure training, similar to programs for Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) in Australia. Furthermore, he encouraged bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Australia to reclassify WHV for stronger protection.
The committee chair, Irfan Murtadho Yusuf, S.A.P., MPM, expressed his appreciation for the participants’ enthusiasm.
From an academic perspective, Prof. Hardi Warsono, MT remarked: “This activity is highly relevant to the complexity of protecting Indonesian migrant workers, allowing for a deeper understanding of both the guarantees of protection and the governance improvements needed to ensure their safety.”
The event was attended by around 50 participants, including students, lecturers, and researchers. The discussion was reflecting significant interest in the issue of Indonesian migrant worker protection abroad.
More than just an academic forum, this seminar is expected to serve as a reflection point for reforming labor protection policies, particularly for Indonesian migrants working overseas.
Irfan Murtadho Yusuf, S.A.P, MPM***
