5,000 women workers stranded in Middle East<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): More than 5,000 women workers have fled their
\nemployers and are being housed temporarily in Indonesian
\nembassies across the Middle East, according to the Ministry of
\nForeign Affairs.<\/p>\n
One of the major impediments to assisting these workers is
\nthat many of them entered their countries of employment
\nillegally, an official at the Labor Export Association (Apjati)
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Apjati deputy chairman Jamal Aziz said that based on reports
\nhe had received, Indonesian embassies in the Middle East were
\nhaving financial difficulties housing the workers and no action
\nwas being taken to repatriate the women.<\/p>\n
He said that according to reports, the workers were being
\naccommodated in dormitories in embassies in a number of
\ncountries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.<\/p>\n
Jamal said most of the workers were employed as domestic
\nservants and fled their jobs after suffering abuse at the hands
\nof their employers.<\/p>\n
\"Many left their jobs after being raped and tortured by their
\nemployers, and many others fled because they were not being paid
\naccordingly,\" he said, adding that many workers facing similar
\ndifficulties were able to return to Indonesia at their own
\nexpense.<\/p>\n
He said Apjati could not be blamed for the plight of many of
\nthe workers because they entered their countries of employment
\nillegally and no Indonesian companies affiliated with the
\nassociation were involved in their employment.<\/p>\n
\"After checking their entrance to the countries, we found the
\nworkers were supplied by companies and individuals who have no
\nlabor export license. It is the new government's responsibility
\nto repatriate the workers and take action against those who
\nsmuggled them overseas,\" Jamal said.<\/p>\n
According to data from Apjati, there were some 600,000
\nIndonesian workers employed as domestic servants in Middle
\nEastern countries. The workers' salaries vary from country to
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
Jamal pointed to one local businessman who he alleged
\nillegally supplied Indonesian workers to Kuwait.<\/p>\n
\"Some 122 workers sent by him have run away from their jobs
\nand are now being housed at the Indonesia Embassy in Kuwait
\nbecause they are in trouble with their employers,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Most of the workers have no work visas or contracts. Such a
\ncondition allowed their employers to treat them arbitrarily,\" he
\nsaid, adding that the Indonesian government should lobby Kuwait
\nto give greater protection to Indonesians working in the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
The issue of Indonesian workers abroad has been a constant
\nproblem for the government for several years.<\/p>\n
Despite the high profile of recorded cases of mistreatment and
\nabuse, working abroad continues to be an attractive option for
\nmany, especially those from small villages, as they are lured
\nwith the prospect of attaining high income during a time of
\neconomic crisis at home. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/5000-women-workers-stranded-in-middle-east-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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