Activists stand up for maids<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesians must change the way they perceive domestic chores
\nand show their maids more appreciation, activists say.<\/p>\n
Tati Krisnawati of the National Commission of Violence against
\nWomen (Komnas Perempuan) said that the way domestic workers were
\ntreated needed a \"revolution\" in gender perspectives.<\/p>\n
\"Domestic chores are still considered the sole responsibility
\nof women. The public should start a discourse to make people
\nunderstand that the responsibility should be shared between men
\nand women, which would lead to an improvement in relations
\nbetween both sexes,\" she said.<\/p>\n
She stressed that people should realize that domestic workers
\ncontributed a lot to other people's achievements, such as by
\ngiving their employers the chance to work outside the home and
\nmake successful careers for themselves.<\/p>\n
Maria Pakpahan of the International Labor Organization (ILO)
\nsaid that domestic workers should be treated as professionals and
\nbe accorded the dignity and the same rights as other workers
\nenjoyed.<\/p>\n
\"Define their work. You can't expect to have a maid who can
\nclean the house, take care of your baby or your parents, wash the
\ncar and mind the house all at the same time on a low salary, can
\nyou? If you can't pay them well, at least give them their
\nrights,\" Maria said.<\/p>\n
Aida Milasari of women's organization Gema Rumpun Perempuan
\nadded that most working people tended to avoid household chores
\nand preferred to hire a maid on a low salary.<\/p>\n
\"Even if your salary is only Rp 1 million (about US$109), you
\nstill prefer to hire a maid, which may cost you only Rp 150,000 a
\nmonth, with her having to work from dawn till dusk. Doesn't that
\nmake you feel good?\" she said.<\/p>\n
She encouraged employers to pay their domestic workers
\nadequate salaries based on the prevailing local minimum wage,
\ngive them holidays and cover their health care expenses.<\/p>\n
\"Many people object to my idea as they say they cannot afford
\nto pay their maids Rp 700,000 or Rp 1 million per month. So I
\nhave come up with a solution -- if the maids are staying in the
\nhouse, provide for them properly and give them three meals a day,
\nthen you don't have to pay them the minimum wage. But I think the
\nideal figure is about Rp 400,000 a month,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Aside from giving them the right to take holidays, Aida also
\nsaid that employers should give \"tips\" to their maids to give
\nthem a chance to go out of the house and spend some valuable time
\naway from work.<\/p>\n
\"They send all their money to their families in their home
\nvillages so they cannot use it to go out and have fun. Employers
\nmust consider giving them tips so that they can take a holiday,\"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
Roka, who works with a private sector firm and employs a live-
\nin housemaid, said she gave her maid the day off on Sunday, but
\nobjected to giving her a wage increase or tips.<\/p>\n
\"I think she already gets what she needs,\" Roka said. (006)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/activists-stand-up-for-maids-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }