3 - Knowledge production through social media among Indonesian migrant workers during the pandemic

Presentation Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted lives worldwide, with a profound impact on the Indonesian migrant worker (IMW) community. As they faced unprecedented challenges and uncertainties in foreign lands, social media emerged as a vital tool for knowledge production and dissemination. This writing provides a concise overview of a study that explores the role of social media in facilitating knowledge production among IMWs during the pandemic. This study focuses on areas of intercultural relationships, expectations and conflicts in knowledge exchange. The research employs a qualitative method approach, combining in-depth interviews and content analysis of social media platforms extensively used by Indonesian migrant workers residing in Hong Kong and Malaysia (two most popular IMW destinations), such as Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok and Instagram.

The study focuses on understanding the types of knowledge generated, the platforms used for knowledge dissemination, and the challenges and opportunities encountered during this process.   Preliminary findings indicate that Indonesian migrant workers have harnessed social media to produce and share various forms of knowledge, including information on health and safety measures, legal rights, job opportunities, and emotional support networks. These virtual communities have enabled knowledge transfer and collaborative problem-solving, allowing migrants to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. However, the study also reveals challenges, including misinformation, language barriers, and digital literacy gaps. It highlights the need for digital literacy programs and interventions to ensure that knowledge produced and shared through social media remains accurate and reliable.

Co-Author 1
Eni Lestari, International Migrants Alliance (IMA)