TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The alleged human trafficking case involving residents of West Java in Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, at the end of February was not the first. Five years ago, 17 women, also from West Java, were suspected of being victims of human trafficking at night entertainment venues in Sikka Regency.
The Flores Volunteers for Humanity Team uncovered the alleged human trafficking case last month. They rescued 13 women working at a pub. The workers, most of whom were born in the early 2000s, were suspected of experiencing violence and exploitation while working.
Human Rights Ministry expert staff member Gabriel Dela Sol said human trafficking cases in East Nusa Tenggara have become rampant along with the growth of tourism in the region. “Especially after Labuan Bajo’s popularity exploded,” Gabriel said in Jakarta on Monday, March 2, 2026.
President Joko Widodo designated Labuan Bajo as one of the priority tourism destinations under the “New Bali” banner in 2017. Two years later, the government upgraded its status to a super-priority destination. As a result, East Nusa Tenggara, particularly Labuan Bajo, received key infrastructure development support from the central government, including airports, seaports, and hotels.
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