Manpower Agency Attempting to Prevent Illegal Migrant Smuggling

Jakarta (Antara) - The National Agency for Placement and Protection of Indonesian Workers Overseas (BNP2TKI) said it is doing everything it can to prevent illegal migrant smuggling by certain parties who sent workers abroad. "BNP2TKI is doing everything it can to provide information and raise awareness of the official procedures for working abroad," BNP2TKI Head Moh Jumhur Hidayat said after issuing directives to participants at a coordination meeting on the prevention of illegal migrant smuggling of Indonesian workers in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, on Monday. He noted that any party who recruited and sent workers abroad without the proper documents is involved in illegal migrant smuggling. Victims of human trafficking are mostly women, while illegal migrant smuggling primarily involves men. "In West Nusa Tenggara, most cases are related to illegal migrant smuggling, with men attempting to travel overseas for work by illegal methods," Jumhur added. Jumhur said that in an effort to prevent illegal migrant smuggling, the government should publicize the procedures of completing the proper documents for working overseas. "The correct procedures need to be publicized so that people are are aware that becoming an illegal worker carries high risk that can pose problems to themselves and their families. It also poses difficulties to the government in providing protection if they are problems overseas," Jumhur added. (*)