Indonesia Warns Citizens Against Working in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand
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JAKARTA, investortrust.id – The Indonesian government has urged its citizens to avoid seeking employment in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand, citing a high risk of human trafficking in these Southeast Asian nations.
Indonesian Minister for the Protection of Migrant Workers Abdul Kadir Karding said he would prohibit citizens from working in the three countries if legally permitted, pointing to repeated cases of abuse and exploitation.
Speaking at the Eid al-Fitr open house hosted by Investment Minister Rosan Perkasa Roeslani at his official residence in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Karding said, “I always say, it's best that no one departs to Myanmar, Cambodia, or Thailand for work, because there is a clear tendency for them to fall victim to human trafficking.”
Karding serves as Minister for the Protection of Migrant Workers under the Ministry of Migrant Worker Protection, or P2MI. Indonesia currently does not have any formal labor placement agreements with Myanmar, Cambodia, or Thailand. This absence of legal frameworks increases the vulnerability of Indonesian citizens who choose to work there, he said.
“If I were allowed to issue a ban, I would,” Karding stressed.
The minister's warning follows the government's recent efforts to repatriate hundreds of trafficked Indonesians from Myanmar. On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, and Wednesday, March 19, 2025, a total of 554 non-procedural Indonesian migrant workers—449 men and 105 women—were evacuated from Myawaddy, a town near the Thai-Myanmar border notorious for trafficking operations. They were returned to Indonesia via Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok.
These actions reflect Indonesia’s intensifying campaign to curb illegal migrant worker placements and prevent citizens from becoming victims of transnational crime networks.
Karding has previously pushed to formalize labor agreements and strengthen protections for workers. In recent weeks, he also expressed interest in lifting the moratorium on migrant worker placements in Saudi Arabia, provided that stronger safety mechanisms are in place.
During the open house event, Karding was seen in a warm exchange with Rosan Roeslani, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of state-owned holding company Danantara. The event was also attended by Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Anindya Bakrie and businessman Wisnu Wardhana.