In a statement released on Wednesday, the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) informed that as of February 2025, at least 6,800 Indonesian citizens are suspected to have fallen victim to human trafficking abroad.
"Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono, in the 2025 Annual Press Statement, has emphasized that the protection of Indonesian citizens and migrant workers is a top priority in Indonesian diplomacy," PCO spokesperson Philips J. Vermonte said.
According to Vermonte, the National Police began repatriating the victims on January 4, 2025. They started by picking up 16 Indonesian citizens from Vietnam who were involved in an online fraud case, he informed.
On January 17, the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok also supported the repatriation of two human trafficking victims who were forced to work in the online fraud sector.
Then, on February 20, as many as 46 Indonesian citizens were repatriated from Myawaddy, Myanmar. A week later, another 84 Indonesian citizens also returned to Indonesia from the same region.
Vermonte informed that Myanmar is one of the 10 main destination countries that employ Indonesian citizens illegally.
He said that Myawaddy, a conflict area on the border between Myanmar and Thailand, has become a center for cybercrimes, ranging from crypto fraud to money laundering and online gambling.
Related news: Police, ministry unite to intensify migrant worker safety
He added that armed groups in the region protect criminal networks that utilize illegal labor, including Indonesian citizens lured with the promise of high-paying jobs in Thailand.
However, they are forced to work as online fraud operators under tight surveillance, he informed.
"Our Indonesian citizens working there cannot return home due to protection from armed groups. Those who try to escape are tortured," he said.
Therefore, his party has urged the public to be more careful when accepting job offers abroad.
"Do not be easily tempted by job vacancy advertisements from irresponsible parties who misuse the big name of certain companies," he cautioned.
The PCO has asked job seekers to take three preventive measures. First, they must not trust overseas job offers that promise high salaries, fast processes, and unclear procedures.
Second, they must make sure of the legal certainty of job providers and follow legal placement procedures.
Lastly, they must check the validity of travel documents and visas before leaving for abroad and avoid hasty recruitment without clear procedures.
Related news: BP2MI working with police on illegal worker placement case
Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
