Significance of Indonesian Workers against Remittances They Have Acquired (A Case Study in Bawean Island, Gresik, Indonesia)

Abstract

Study on remittances was conducted in Bawean Island, Gresik, East Java.  This study has examined the meaning of remittances for Indonesian migrant workers itself, through the perspective of phenomenology. This study aimed to reveal the social context, and the meaning of remittances for migrant workers. This study used a qualitative method based on Alfred Schutz's phenomenological perspective, which states that the meaning cannot be separated from the 'because' motives and 'in order to' motives. Indonesian migrant workers who works abroad, were research subjects. The data were collected by observation, participation observation and documentation, and by in-depth interviewed. Nineteen subjects were determined as a unit of analysis.  The study found the social background of the subject:  they were in productive age; have many brothers and sisters; have a low level of education; their parents work as farmers; the female subjects worked as baby sitter; and male subjects worked as a construction worker; building contractor; welders; electrical installers; and factory worker.  Based on the social context (‘because’ motives), the study found three patterns of departure payment, i.e.: paid by salary reductions, loans payment, and cash payment systems. The study also found three meanings of remittances, i.e. remittances as a substitute family economics, as home ownership, and as business investment.

Keywords: remittances, migrant workers, phenomenology, Alfred Schutz