PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BNI is committed to the welfare of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI), one of which is through the beauty class program held by BNI Hong Kong. Through the development of PMI and diaspora skills, BNI plays an active role in encouraging the creation of new job opportunities, introducing Indonesian culture globally as a sustainable economic driver.
BNI Remittance Hong Kong Director Indra Kusuma revealed, BNI banking services have also been utilized by the Beauty Class community fostered by BNI Hong Kong for women migrant workers since 2019 and has enrolled at least 82 migrant workers as members.
“Through the skills classes provided by BNI, it is hoped that PMI can have capital, not only money but also skills as a provision for entrepreneurship in the country,” he said.
Indra explained, BNI Beauty Class helped open the insight of PMI in Hong Kong to increase income from the beauty industry. BNI Beauty Class also worked with one of the country's cosmetic brands. Through training in beauty classes, they are taught how to apply makeup properly, recognize makeup tools and apply them.
“These skills will be the capital for PMI to be able to be entrepreneurs and generate rupiah so that they can be financially independent,” Indra said.
This is consistent with the acknowledgment of Etik Susmiati, the PMI leader of the BNI Beauty Class community. According to her, BNI Beauty Class provides valuable experience and skills to PMI in Hong Kong.
“We learn from each other and BNI provides all the equipment for us to learn for free,” she said.
One of BNI Beauty Class members, Yayuk Sri Handayani, has even returned home and opened her own salon. The salon she named Yukie Salon is located in the Gunungsari area, Ponorogo, East Java. Now, Yayuk is focused on running her business in Indonesia.
“My salon serves everything from haircuts, creambath, smoothing to bridal makeup,” said Yayuk.
BNI's efforts to empower PMI in the countries where they work are also supported by the strength of the overseas business network spread across 9 locations.
In Hong Kong, BNI is considered a second home for the diaspora to develop their talents by providing a room that is accessible by the entire Indonesian community in Hong Kong.
The room can be used for skills classes that can improve diaspora and PMI skills. “So they can use it for free, the only requirement is to join as a BNI customer. They will attend classes such as make-up, content creator and many others,“ said BNI Hong Kong General Manager Farid Faraitody.
BNI Hong Kong can serve the needs of Individual and Corporate Accounts such as current accounts and time deposits. In terms of financing, BNI can serve Trade Loans, Working Capital Loans, and Investment Loans. BNI is also committed to providing a Diaspora Loan Program which is in line with President Prabowo's Asta Cita in improving people's welfare.