How many Indonesian Migrant Workers (TKI) are placed in Saudi Arabia?

Muhammad Zaini Misrin Arsyad, an Indonesian Migrant Worker (TKI) working in Saudi Arabia, became another victim of the death penalty in that country on March 18, 2018. The TKI, originally from Madura, East Java, was executed for allegedly murdering his employer in Mecca.

Despite numerous cases of Indonesian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia suffering abuse and facing the death penalty, this hasn't deterred Indonesian job seekers from seeking their fortune in the country. According to data from the National Agency for Placement and Protection of Indonesian Workers (BNP2TKI), Saudi Arabia is among the top 10 destination countries for Indonesian migrant workers. Saudi Arabia ranked sixth, with 6,471 Indonesian migrant workers placed there throughout 2017.

Meanwhile, Malaysia remains the largest destination country for Indonesian migrant workers, with 88,991 placements, followed by Hong Kong (68,000) and Taiwan (63,000). The total number of Indonesian workers placed abroad last year reached 261,820, an 11.7% increase from the previous year's 234,451. East Java was the largest contributor of Indonesian migrant workers, accounting for almost a quarter of those sent abroad.

(Read Databoks: Fahri Hamzah Calls Indonesian Migrant Workers 'Babus' Despite Their Rp 140 Trillion in Remittances)