Household workers<\/p>\n
It is a cause for hope when a leading national newspaper
\ndevotes its editorial space to the needs of the disenfranchised.
\nThe Jakarta Post's Aug. 12 editorial spoke out on behalf of
\nIndonesia's lowest level of female household workers, our
\npembantus. These workers are the Ministry of Manpower's forgotten
\nconstituents. They are not protected by minimum wage laws or
\nchild labor laws; for the sake of foreign exchange they are sent
\noverseas to work like the African slaves of centuries ago. They
\nare exploited by Ministry of Manpower officials who control their
\nemployment status, by immigration officials who issue their
\ntravel documents, and by licensed employment agents who exploit
\nthem in multiple ways -- before they even reach a work location,
\nwhere they are often treated little better than a piece of
\nhousehold equipment (some pets receive more attention from
\nemployers).<\/p>\n
The editorial was correct to broaden the focus to include
\ndomestic pembantus, not only those sent to work in other
\ncountries. Some pembantus are well paid and treated with respect.
\nBut many are required to work twelve or more hours a day (with
\nrest times that are set at the convenience of the employer, not
\nthe needs of the worker), in some households seven days a week
\n(with one day a month free), with disgracefully low wages. Some
\nare physically disciplined at the whim of the employer, some are
\nexpected to submit sexually to their employer. Yet many pembantus
\nwill never complain about their situations, either from fear of
\nlosing needed income, or fear of shaming their families by
\ncomplaining about their \"benefactors\", or from a misbegotten
\nloyalty-similar to that displayed by hostages toward their
\ncaptors. Perhaps some spirited pembantu will soon rise up to
\nbecome the champion of her colleagues across Indonesia. Maybe as
\nan encouragement we who employ pembantus ought to form informal
\npacts among ourselves, pledging to meet certain minimal standards
\nrelating to wage, work hours, medical care and holiday standards.
\nBy undertaking an initiative like this, groups like the Darma
\nWanita, the American Women's Association, British Women's
\nAssociation, and Women's International, could be effective forces
\nfor improving the conditions of our working sisters.<\/p>\n
DONNA K. WOODWARD<\/p>\n
Medan, North Sumatra<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/household-workers-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }