80,000 Indonesians Working Illegally in Cambodia, Minister Warns

ANTARA

A growing number of Indonesians—estimated at over 80,000—are working illegally in Cambodia, many lured into online scams and gambling operations, Indonesia's Minister for the Protection of Migrant Workers has revealed.

Speaking on Tuesday in Semarang, Central Java, Abdul Kadir Karding said the workers are classified as illegal due to the absence of a formal labour agreement between Indonesia and Cambodia. “All of these migrant workers are considered illegal,” he said. “We’ve seen a sharp rise in young Indonesians risking unsafe and unregulated employment abroad.”

The situation is particularly concerning as many of these workers are involved in illegal online industries. “Their occupations vary,” Karding noted. “Some work in restaurants, but most are tied to online gambling and scamming syndicates.”

This marks a shift from traditional destinations for Indonesian migrant workers, such as Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, with Cambodia and Myanmar now emerging as hotspots for illicit labour activity.

The minister also confirmed his office is investigating the reported death of an Indonesian worker in Cambodia. “We are trying to identify the victim, but illegal migration leaves us with no official records,” he said.

In response, the Indonesian government has begun cracking down on rogue recruitment agencies. “We’ve temporarily closed three illegal placement firms to stem the flow of undocumented workers,” Karding announced.

The warning highlights a growing regional concern over human trafficking and labour exploitation in Southeast Asia’s shadow economy. Indonesian authorities are urging citizens to avoid unauthorised overseas job offers and seek legal channels instead.

With no bilateral framework in place between Jakarta and Phnom Penh, efforts to protect these vulnerable workers remain limited. The ministry has vowed to intensify public education and enforcement to prevent further tragedies.

As the trend continues, calls are mounting for formal agreements and regional cooperation to address the root causes of illegal migration and cross-border exploitation.

-2025-04-17