This article examines the relationship between the Indonesian government’s discourse on “migrant-victims” and the promotion of migration as a pathway to development. The discussion revolves around two dominant representations of Indonesian migrants: as national heroes that contribute to the country’s economic development and as victims of labor exploitation. In analyzing speeches of state repre­sentatives and publications by local media and NGOs, it argues that both representations emphasize individual responsibility in terms of gender morality. For this purpose it proposes the category of immoral victims, which distinguishes between tolerable violence and legitimate violence, according to which those who do not qualify in terms of the moral standard of ideal women are believed to deserve their circumstances. An approach based on the (im)morality of the individual downplays the responsibility of the states and institutions for the protection of migrant workers and the social welfare of the population. © 2016, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota Colombia. All rights reserved.

Migration victims Gender Development Heroes (Author) Indonesia (Thesaurus)

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