Woman from West Bandung Regency Becomes Victim of Human Trafficking in Sikka, NTT, Recruited with Promises of High Salary
One of the dozens of West Java residents allegedly victims of Human Trafficking (TPPO) in Maumere, Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), is known to be from West Bandung Regency.
The victim is a 24-year-old woman from Cipatat District, West Bandung Regency. She is suspected of being recruited with the lure of a large advance payment to work as a Ladies Companion (LC) at an entertainment venue in Maumere, but in practice, she was burdened with excessive deductions and fines.
The Head of Training, Productivity, Labor Placement and Transmigration (P3TKT) at the Bandung Barat Labor Office, Dewi Andani, confirmed that a resident of Bandung Barat was a victim of alleged TPPO in NTT.
“It is true that there is a victim of TPPO in NTT who is a resident of West Bandung Regency, named Indri Nuraeni, 24 years old, from Cipatat District,” said Dewi on Wednesday (December 25).
According to her, the victim was involved in the alleged TPPO since October 2023. At that time, the perpetrator contacted the victim and offered a job as an LC at Eltras Double Five Bar & Karaoke, which was said to have just started operating in Maumere, Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.
“With the promise of being given a large advance payment if the victim agreed to work. Hearing this offer, the victim agreed to work at the place of the reported person,” she said.
This case surfaced after a video circulated on social media showing alleged physical threats and verbal abuse against employees at one of the entertainment venues in Sikka Regency.
Based on the initial investigation by the West Java Police, 13 women from West Java were found working at the location. They are known to be from Bandung, West Bandung, Indramayu, and Cianjur.
Although most of them are adults, some of them are known to be 18 and 19 years old.
The workers are suspected of being recruited with the lure of high salaries ranging from IDR 8 million to IDR 10 million per month. However, in practice, they are said to be burdened with difficult-to-achieve work targets. If the target is not met, the victims are required to pay fines, which then leads to alleged exploitation, confinement, physical threats, and even violence when the perpetrator is under the influence of alcohol.
Currently, Indri Nuraeni and other victims are undergoing the process of returning to their respective hometowns. Their return was picked up directly by the Governor of West Java, Dedi Mulyadi, who had departed for Sikka Regency since Sunday (February 22).
This alleged TPPO case is still being handled by the police to uncover the roles of the perpetrators and ensure protection for the victims. (DG/I-1)