Title:
Empowering Indonesian Migrant Workers Through Technology-based Capacity in the Digital Era

Authors:
Rafrini Amyulianthy*, Harnovinsah, Gunawan Baharuddin, Frasetyo Angga Saputra, Indonesia

Abstract:

Indonesian migrant workers (IMW) who have long resided in Sabah, Malaysia, face unique challenges in this digital era: they possess strong social capital and years of work experience, yet are systematically disconnected from the development of the digital ecosystem in both Indonesia and Malaysia. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a participatory digital capacity-building program in empowering IMWs residing in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, using an andragogical approach tailored to participants' backgrounds and real needs. The activity involved 40 active IMWs from various sectors, including oil palm plantations, fisheries, construction, informal trade, and domestic services, originating from South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Kalimantan, and Nusa Tenggara. The method used included four interrelated stages: needs assessment through focus group discussions, gradual delivery of materials, hands-on practice and simulation, and sustainability evaluation and monitoring. Data collection was conducted through pre-test and post-test questionnaires, observation sheets, short interviews, and process documentation. The results showed consistent and significant improvements in all seven aspects of digital competency measured, with the average overall score increasing from one point nine to seven point three six on a scale of ten, or equivalent to an increase of two hundred and eighty-seven point four percent. The largest increase occurred in understanding digital economic opportunities through affiliate marketing, which increased by six point one five points, followed by self-development motivation, which increased by five point nine five points, and learning time management, which increased by five point seven points. The highest score in the post-test was achieved in the self-development motivation dimension with a score of eight point four, indicating that the program not only improved short-term technical skills but also built a sustainable learning orientation. These findings confirm that the main obstacle faced by IMW is not limited learning ability but rather the limited opportunities and platforms currently available to them, and demonstrate that contextual, participatory, and strength-based digital capacity-building interventions can produce meaningful change in a relatively short time, even without large infrastructure or budgets.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51505/IJEBMR.2026.10609