Extortionists 'must be punished'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Manpower Suppliers
\nurged City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata yesterday to
\ndiscipline government officials who extort money from unskilled
\nworkers who return from overseas.<\/p>\n
The appeal was made by the association's chairman, Anton
\nSihombing, at a meeting between police and businessmen at City
\nPolice Headquarters yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"Extortion activities have reached such disturbing levels that
\nit's time now to bust officials, who, in their activities,
\nusually act in the name of their institutions,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Anton said some extortionists ask workers to pay a Rp 250,000
\n(US$102) \"entrance fee\" on their arrival at Soekarno-Hatta
\nInternational Airport.<\/p>\n
\"The reason behind the fee collection is unclear,\" he said,
\nadding that the illegal fee burdened the workers, including
\ndomestic helpers and construction workers.<\/p>\n
Hamami responded positively to the association's demand by
\ninstructing his subordinates to check on the report.<\/p>\n
\"If it's true, we'll take stern measures against those
\ninvolved. Their activities can be compared to those done by
\nstreet hoodlums. Instead of being preyed upon, workers have to be
\nprotected,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Hamami also ordered Tangerang Police precinct Chief Lt. Col.
\nIman Haryatna to bring any extortionists to justice.<\/p>\n
Besides the extortionists, Anton also told Hamami about the
\noperation of illegal manpower suppliers.<\/p>\n
Anton said that he had demanded the Ministry of Manpower to
\ntake action against illegal suppliers, who usually disregard
\nprocedures when sending workers overseas.<\/p>\n
They just neglect procedures because they find some
\nrequirements very complicated, Anton said.<\/p>\n
The requirements included insuring all workers a supplier
\nsends and a bank deposit of Rp 1 billion (US$408,163), he said.<\/p>\n
Anton said that suppliers should send better quality workers
\nto maintain foreign countries' trust in Indonesian workers'
\ncredibility. (cst)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/extortionists-must-be-punished-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}