“Drastic Increase in Human Trafficking Cases Among Indonesian Migrant Workers in 2020-2023: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Report”

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of cases of human trafficking involving Indonesian migrant workers has drastically increased in the 2020-2023 period. In fact, 1,800 cases were reported during this time, marking a sevenfold increase. The majority of these cases involve non-procedural placement of PMIs to various countries, with Cambodia being the main destination. Many of these PMIs are employed through online scams that lure them with promises of work abroad. It is essential for the police and other stakeholders to collaborate to uncover TPPO syndicates and bring their members to justice. To prevent job scams, the public must be educated to avoid applying for jobs through unverified job vacancies, particularly in conflict-ridden countries. These scams have become increasingly prevalent in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, with the number of Indonesian citizens working in this sector spreading to Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and even the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Stay informed about this issue to protect Indonesian citizens abroad.