Bali, Indonesia – Russians have poured into Bali in droves since the invasion of Ukraine.

In Indonesia’s most popular destination, the arrivals are finding refuge from the economic fallout of the war and the threat of conscription.

They are also meeting a backlash from locals angry about what they see as the growing problem of outsiders taking their jobs.

Earlier this week, Bali Governor Wayan Koster said he had asked the central government in Jakarta to end visa-on-arrival privileges for citizens of Russia and Ukraine amid growing complaints from locals.

“Why these two countries? These two are at war, so it is unsafe in their country, and they flock to Bali. Many of them come to Bali, not for leisure, but to find comfort, including for work,” Koster was quoted as saying in local media.

Minister of Tourism Sandiaga Uno said he would review the governor’s request while leaving open the possibility that the number of those “acting up and causing problems” may not be significant.

While nearly 60,000 Russians arrived in Bali last year, roughly 20,000 have been arriving each month since the Kremlin declared a partial mobilisation of military reservists in September, according to figures compiled by Bali’s international airport.

Some have taken up work on the island as hairdressers, babysitters, taxi drivers or even sex workers, often, authorities say, without a legally-required work visa.

While the number of Ukrainians has also risen, there have been only about one-tenth as many arrivals, and most public expressions of frustration and controversies involving undocumented workers have been directed towards Russians.

Earlier this month, the Balinese Provincial Government announced the formation of a task force comprised of police and officials from the ministries of labour, industry and trade to crack down on undocumented workers.

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