Jakarta. Traditionally, the weeks following the Eid al-Fitr holidays marked a peak in the influx of migratory workers seeking job opportunities in Jakarta. However, this trend has seen a notable decline in recent years.

Budi Awaluddin, head of the Jakarta Civil Registration Office, reported on Saturday that the number of job seekers from other provinces has been steadily decreasing over the past two years, with projections indicating a continuation of this downward trend.

Two years ago, the capital welcomed 27,000 non-Jakartans seeking employment or entrepreneurial ventures post-Eid, a figure that dropped to 25,000 during the same period last year.

Based on current data, it is anticipated that the number of post-Eid new job seekers in Jakarta will reach approximately 20,000.

"Reviewing the monthly data, we observed 9,000 visitors in January, followed by 6,000 visitors in both February and March. These figures fall significantly below the monthly average of arrivals seen in previous years. In 2022, there were approximately 12,000 new arrivals per month, while in 2023, the figure stood at around 11,000 per month," Budi said.

In total, Jakarta saw 151,000 new residents in 2022, with an additional 136,000 arriving the following year.

Budi said individuals intending to reside in Jakarta must furnish proof of their residential address and secure employment prospects, failing which they may be denied entry.

"New residents must possess suitable housing arrangements and relevant job skills. Migration to Jakarta should not be solely driven by determination but rather be supported by practical considerations," he added.