Solo, Central Java (ANTARA News) - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo wants to immediately stop the practice of Indonesian women travelling abroad to work as housemaids, saying it closely linked to the nations self-esteem and dignity.

"I have asked the Manpower Minister to set a target and formulate a clear road map, to ensure that we stop sending domestic workers abroad. We should have some self-esteem and dignity," the President said during the Peoples Conscious Partys (Hanuras) second National Congress on Friday night.

During his tour of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and the Philippines recently, President Jokowi said he found out that there were a total of 2.3 million Indonesian migrant workers living in these countries, and 1.2 million of them had an illegal status and were considered problematic workers.

"About 1,800 of them have been rescued, 800 have been picked up by Hercules, and tomorrow we will pick some more up. But I am sure the numbers will continue to grow as we encounter problems in dealing with this issue," he noted.

The President expressed the hope of being able to immediately stopping sending domestic workers abroad.

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