Kupang – Thousands of Indonesian migrant workers from East Nusa Tenggara have fallen victim to human trafficking practices given the fact that they were recruited through illegal procedures, an NGO for advocacy says.

The Foundation for Advocacy, Elimination and Anti-Employment of Children put the number at 14,800 who were reported to be working in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.

It said the consequences of illegal recruitment by illicit work agencies were that workers failed to obtain legal and security protection during their overseas endeavors.

"Their knowledge limited, many migrant workers have fallen victims to persecutions by their employers," foundation coordinator Teda Littik said in Kupang on Wednesday. The foundation called on the migrant workers recruitment and distribution agency PJTKI and the government to ensure the workers had enough training and competence to minimize their being subject to violence.