GABF Tech Forum Calls for Business Networks to Combat Human Trafficking

Thepresidentpost.id - Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi has urged the business sector to strengthen regional cooperation in combating human trafficking offences. It was conveyed at the opening of the GABF Tech Forum event held by the Bali Process Government and Business Forum (GABF) in Bali (10/8) amid the rampant online scam cases in Indonesia.

"The business sector needs to strengthen its network to support regional cooperation in combating Trafficking in Persons," Retno said.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs suggested the development of due diligence standards to ensure fair, transparent and ethical recruitment and remuneration patterns. The event consisted of 3 (three) panel discussion sessions, 2 (two) workshops, and an exhibition booth focusing on the importance of the business sector in making technology investments and the cooperation of the business sector and the entertainment industry in combating and increasing public understanding of human trafficking.

The meeting featured speakers from various sectors in the Asia-Pacific region, including GoTo Indonesia, Indosat, United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), KRA Group, Capital Maharaja Group, International Justice Mission (IJM) Thailand, MD Entertainment, Regional Support Office (RSO) Bali Process, human trafficking survivors, and social activist actress Cinta Laura.

50 participants were physically present consisting of GABF Business Leaders, business representatives, international organisations that are members of the Bali Process, Embassy Representatives of countries in Jakarta, young people engaged in technology, labour associations, and the media. The Indonesian Minister of Law and Human Rights also attended the meeting and gave a speech.

At the end of the event, the meeting succeeded in drafting the "Bali Call for Action" in the form of concrete action commitments of the participants to jointly tackle the crime of human trafficking as one of the references for combating the crime of human trafficking in the region.

The Bali Process Government and Business Forum (GABF) is a government and private sector engagement forum under the Bali Process framework established in 2017 to tackle the crime of human trafficking and smuggling in the industrial chain. The GABF Tech Forum is a follow-up to the 8th Bali Process Ministerial Meeting in Adelaide on 9-10 February 2023.