Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Tuesday (15/4/2025) that the Indonesian Consulate General in Dubai has handled 19 cases of Indonesian migrant workers exploited as sex workers between January and March 2025 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

Seven victims have been repatriated, while 12 remain under legal proceedings and are currently sheltered at the consulate, according to Judha Nugraha, the Director for Citizens Protection at the Foreign Ministry.

“Many of the victims were originally domestic workers who were promised higher wages to switch jobs. But in reality, they were handed over to pimps and forced into prostitution,” he said, as reported by antaranews.com.

The consulate is working closely with Dubai’s Criminal Investigation Division to ensure legal action and victim support. In addition, awareness campaigns have been launched targeting Indonesian communities, agencies, and workers to prevent further trafficking. A support network involving local community leaders has also been established across the seven emirates of the UAE.

The Ministry reiterated that the UAE remains off-limits for Indonesian domestic worker placement under Manpower Regulation No. 260/2015. 

(mg/inp/pr/nm)