RI ranks third in women trafficking

SEMARANG, Central Java: Indonesia, alongside Malaysia, ranks third in women trafficking after Europe and the United States, State Minister for Women's Empowerment Sri Redjeki Soemarjoto said.

"Indonesia supplies women, while Malaysia accommodates them," Sri Redjeki was quoted by Antara as saying in Semarang on Monday.

"Up to 1,000 Indonesian women are tricked into prostitution overseas every year by illegal labor exporters," said Sri Redjeki, calling on local administrations to issue bylaws to regulate the deployment of female workers overseas.

"Local administrations have to urge the House of Representatives to enact a law (to protect women), while labor export companies that do not meet requirements should be prevented from sending female workers overseas," she said. --Antara