The Socio-Entrepreneurship Potential of Migrant Workers during the Covid-19 Era: A Mapping Study in Suralaga, East Lombok

The article aims to map the socio-entrepreneurship potential of migrant workers in the Covid-19 era. This mapping is vital to identify the potential that migrant workers have since they seek diversification during the pandemic years. In particular, this paper attempts to investigate the potential of this community as a socio-entrepreneurship resource for migrant workers as it has been seen essential an alternative approach to mitigating the effects of Covid-19. This study focuses on the Suralaga district, an area in East Lombok, which is known for a high number of migrant workers. This study is based on a qualitative approach and phenomenological methodology to gather and analyze data for six months (January–June 2022). There are 25 informants total in this study, 15 of whom are men and 10 of them are women. We used a variety of techniques to gather the data, including participant observation, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and documentation. The results of the study demonstrate that because of their low educational attainment—the majority of migrant employees having only completed elementary or junior high school—migrant workers have limited knowledge and skill, therefore it is difficult to find a job when they finished the contract and back home. In terms of natural potential, the Suralaga region’s terrain is part of a farming area, where the majority of people work as farmers and grow tomatoes and chilies. The finding of this research also demonstrates the critical role that micro, small, and medium-sized businesses play in fostering the economic growth of migrant workers and serving as a counterweight to Covid-19’s hegemonic middle class.


INTRODUCTION
Most countries in the globe experience migration, a global phenomenon that individuals engage in pursuit of employment opportunities and a higher standard of living (Diyanti, 2011;Hamdi, 2021). Indonesia is one of the Southeast Asian countries that send the most migrant workers abroad. These  Agustika dan Rustariyuni (2017:40) indicates that working abroad will generate more money because the pay is better than the place of origin and it can satisfy the needs of the family. The decision of migrants to work abroad not only benefits their family's financial situation, but also gives them experience as skilled professionals. The migrant mission may provide remittances to the hamlet as a source of household and family income (Rammohan and Magnani, 2012 (Imansyah, 2021).
After returning home, migrant workers add to the unemployment rate because the majority of them have not found a new job. At the same time, around 70% of migrant workers lack the necessary educational credentials, having only completed elementary and junior high school. As a result, finding employment is challenging in their home country (Haslan & Fauzan, 2021:53;Mahbubah & Kurniawan, 2022).
Given the aforementioned issues with migrant workers' job opportunities, the government must take action to empower migrant workers in order to develop their ability and capacity, offer access to changes, and enable them to participate in decisions that will determine their fate and destiny (Sumodiningrat, 1997 (Chandra,2017;Gonzalez et al, 2017). In social entrepreneurship, benefits are given top priority, but social missions are also carried out in an effort to address societal challenges (Munoz et al., 2018). An established initiative to address social issues and promote ongoing growth is social entrepreneurship (Bozhikin et al., 2019: 740).   Geographically, the Suralaga region has the capacity for farming and livestock raising.
The majority of the population is employed as farmers, so this is a chance to start an agricultural company. Chili, tobacco, rice, tomatoes, and pumpkins are the region's top agricultural exports. In general, Lombok, which includes Suralaga, is a supplier of tobacco and chili to many parts of Indonesian region, even outside the country.
The Suralaga region has promise for both farming and raising livestock. Even though the area is not exceptionally large, the villagers are rather happy to grow animals. The practice of keeping cattle was passed down by their ancestors. Usually, their livestock is kept inside or close to the house. Following the government initiative to assist farmers with their animals, people began designing special cages. This potency has been developed by local people.
Another potential also found in the Suralaga District is the growth of local economies through plantations. The coconut palm, which thrives in the area and is exchanged by the locals, is one of the most significant goods in the Suralaga District.

Mapping Migrant Workers' Human Resources for Developing Socio-Entrepreneurship
Socio-entrepreneurship is one approach to tackling social challenges using economic

As entrepreneur
In Suralaga district only a few former migrant workers become entrepreneurs. Beside vegetables, the coconut business also is very prospective in Lombok. In addition to specific plantings in their tiny gardens, coconut palms are typically planted around the perimeter of rice fields. Before the palm oil business grow in the modern market, the locals used coconut as a source of raw material for cooking oil. One of the former migrant workers, Arifin, became concerned about the coconut business possibilities and prospects. He created a coconut business that was shipped to another island particularly to the Java region. He decided to start a coconut business because Lombok has an abundance of coconut resources, but the islanders could not use it, so he had to send it to Java. His efforts were highly fruitful; in one week, he exported up to three trucks' worth of coconuts. This is his attempt to survive and build regional commodity-based enterprises as a former migrant worker. Along with Jalaluddin, another former migrant worker, Abu Hasiyah from the Gelumpang hamlet, also runs a small company that buys and sells local hens. According to what he has said, he first attempted to start a business selling cooking spices such as shrimp paste, onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, and cooking oil, but subsequently he pursued buying and selling local poultry. Fortunately, it was a sizable sum that motivated him to undertake this venture.

As a religious teacher and missionary
One finding in the sector is that former wasn't in vain. "Nothing is in vain as long as we make an effort," is one of his catchphrases. The micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Dasan Borok village are better at managing the local resources that are available. They make their chips out of agricultural items like sweet potatoes and pumpkins, which are used as raw materials. Farmers supply the raw materials, and MSMEs make and process products like dry and wet snacks. The local government also provides money to MSMEs, which can significantly strengthen and assist local economies, in addition to farmers " (Interview dated March 17, 2022).

As Village Head
In particular for the group of migrant