TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chairperson of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union (SBMI), Hariyanto Suwarno, stated that as many as 251 Indonesian migrant workers are suspected to have become victims of human trafficking. This incident is a critical note for SBMI to continue advocating for the rights of victims of human trafficking. "The rights of the victims must continue to be advocated, and equally important is the protection of their legal rights under the human trafficking law," said Hariyanto during a Public Discussion and Launch of a Report Commemorating the Anti-Human Trafficking Day at the SBMI Secretariat in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
Hariyanto mentioned that the human trafficking victims are scattered in several areas, such as Lampung, East Lampung, Malang, Banten, Pemalang, and Indramayu. "They also have difficulties in reporting the cases, especially during the legal proceedings," said Hariyanto.
The public discussion held in Jakarta also commemorated the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, which falls on July 30 each year. For SBMI, this is not just an annual ceremony, but also a reminder that the practice of human trafficking continues to be a real threat, especially for Indonesian migrant workers.
In the same event, the Chairperson of the SBMI Regional Leadership Board in East Java, Endang Yulianingsih, disclosed cases of human trafficking that occurred in East Java, especially in the city of Malang. According to her, there is widespread exploitation involving female migrant workers.
The alleged exploitation, according to Endang, has been happening since the recruitment of migrant workers. "Since they were promised jobs in Hong Kong, the victims were forced to work as domestic workers without contracts and legal protection. This was done by companies that do not have permits and often hide behind pre-departure administrative processes," she said.
Endang emphasized that the legal process disadvantages victims when they try to assert their rights during legal proceedings. Furthermore, she said that law enforcement officers did not handle the cases seriously. One of the officers is said to have poor communication with the victims and their advocates and tends to avoid them when the victims are suddenly summoned for questioning. "Instead of providing a space for recovery, the court corners the victims of human trafficking and underestimates the violence they have experienced," she said.
At the same occasion, Dios Lumban Gaol, the Coordinator of the Maritime Department of SBMI, described the incidents they faced while accompanying the victims during the legal proceedings. He explained that human trafficking victims tend to become the target of judges during the proceedings due to the lack of adequate scheduling information.
Furthermore, Endang stated that the victims and their advocates still face retaliation and intimidation from the perpetrators. "This situation highlights the weakness of legal protection for the victims and their advocates, allowing the perpetrators to obstruct the legal process and worsen the victims' vulnerabilities," she emphasized.
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