PELAKITA.ID – Jakarta, September 25, 2025 – Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) Indonesia together with the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union (SBMI) officially reported alleged human rights violations and human trafficking crimes to the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).
The report concerns the exploitation and abuse of eight crew members (ABK) on the fishing vessels KM Mitra Usaha Semesta (KM MUS) and Run Zeng (RZ) 03 in the Aru waters.
Case Chronology
In April 2024, several crew members were recruited through social media with promises of a monthly salary of IDR 2 million, a holiday allowance (THR) of IDR 2 million, and a catch-based bonus.
After being picked up from Indramayu and sent to Pati, they were dispatched to Juwana Port to work on KM MUS without any employment contracts.
Once at sea, the crew were transferred to vessels RZ 03 and RZ 05. They were forced to work long hours from morning until night without health insurance or labor protection and were only given leftover food from other crew.
When they demanded wages and THR, their requests were denied. Instead, they were intimidated with threats that the naval military would “take care of them” if they refused to work.
The situation worsened when the crew staged a strike and demanded repatriation. Receiving no certainty, some attempted to escape by jumping overboard. Tragically, one crew member was later found by Koijabi villagers near Warabal Island, dead and decapitated. Another, identified as MS, survived but in critical condition.
Stalled Legal Process
The case was reported to the Indonesian National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim Polri) in June 2024 under police report number STTL/206/VI/2024/BARESKRIM. Several individuals, including MOP, R, GW, and AW, were named. However, the process has been slow. The case was handed over to Maluku Regional Police citing overlapping jurisdiction, but no resolution has been provided to date.
DFW Indonesia and SBMI consider this a serious human rights violation as it disregards the right to life, personal freedom, and the right not to be enslaved, all of which are guaranteed under the Constitution.
Appeal to Komnas HAM
DFW Indonesia and SBMI stressed that Komnas HAM holds the mandate under Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights to conduct studies, monitoring, investigations, and provide recommendations to the government and Parliament (DPR RI).
In the context of recruitment, placement, and exploitation of crew members on KM MUS and RZ 03, these actions clearly fall into the category of human rights violations.
“This case reveals the dark side of our fisheries industry, where crew members are treated merely as business commodities. The state has failed to ensure protection, while law enforcement lets the process drag on,” said Dios Lumban Gaol, SBMI’s Coordinator for Law, Policy Analysis, and Knowledge Management, who also represents the victims as legal counsel.
“From 2020 to 2024, SBMI received 643 complaints from fishing vessel workers, most related to forced labor and trafficking. This is not an isolated case but a structural failure of the state in fisheries governance. Therefore, we demand Komnas HAM to act as an independent watchdog that dares to conduct investigations,” Dios asserted.
Similarly, Siti Wahyatun, Legal Officer of DFW Indonesia, highlighted the sluggish progress after more than a year of legal proceedings.
“The lack of progress shows the state’s lack of seriousness in eradicating human trafficking, particularly in the fisheries sector. As a maritime nation, the government has failed to demonstrate commitment to protecting fishing workers who are the frontline of our seafood supply. We will continue to monitor this case in pursuit of justice for the victims,” she said.
Modern Slavery at Sea
Through the National Fishers Center (NFC) Indonesia, DFW Indonesia recorded 181 complaints involving 514 victims of fisheries exploitation over the past six years.
Meanwhile, SBMI has received 643 crew complaints in the past four years. These numbers indicate that exploitation and trafficking in the fisheries sector have reached a humanitarian emergency level.
“This case is not just a labor law violation, but a stark example of modern slavery that robs people of life and dignity. If Komnas HAM fails to take decisive action as an independent watchdog, the state will continue to allow the seas to become a lawless space that perpetuates human enslavement,” DFW Indonesia and SBMI concluded in their joint statement.
About DFW Indonesia
Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) Indonesia is a national alliance/consortium uniting institutions and individuals concerned with destructive fishing practices, poverty, climate change adaptation, and natural disasters in Indonesia.
About SBMI
The Indonesian Migrant Workers Union (SBMI) is an organization of migrant workers and their families. It was founded on February 25, 2003, previously known as the Federation of Indonesian Migrant Workers Organizations (FOBMI). Initiated by the Consortium for Migrant Workers Advocacy (KOPBUMI) since 2000, SBMI emerged as a counter-response to the systemic problems faced by Indonesian migrant workers. It has been formally recognized as a trade union since 2006.
Source: DFW Indonesia and SBMI
Editor: Kamaruddin Azis