Maids report abuse to rights body<\/p>\n
Leony Aurora, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Two nursemaids filed a complaint with the National Commission on
\nHuman Rights (Komnas HAM) citing abusive treatment by their
\nrecent employer.<\/p>\n
Solikhah, 23, and Suprianti, 20, who are represented by the
\nJakarta Legal Aid Institution (LBH Jakarta), said that they had
\nbeen slapped, hit, and confined in the employer's house for three
\ndays before people from the labor agency picked them up.<\/p>\n
The two young women, along with another nursemaid who refused
\nto come forward, had been taking care of a three-month-old baby
\nsince April.<\/p>\n
The employers, who live in the elite residential area of
\nMenteng at Jl. Cendana No. 15, were businessman Surono Harianto,
\nwho is in his 70s, and his wife Karlina, 18, according to police
\ninvestigators.<\/p>\n
On May 27, Solikhah noticed bruises on the baby and reported
\nit to Surono.<\/p>\n
The employers accused them of dropping the baby, and hit the
\nthree. A pediatrician identified the blue marks as birthmarks,
\naccording to Solikhah and Suprianti.<\/p>\n
Solikhah reported the incident to the labor agency, Kasih Ibu
\nJus Foundation the next day. People from the foundation came to
\nthe house, but only to calm the nursemaids.<\/p>\n
That evening, one by one they were called to see Surono,
\nKarlina, and Else, the wife of the retired general's assistant.<\/p>\n
\"They said to me 'why did you squeal to the foundation?'\"
\nsaid Solikhah. \"Karlina then slapped me, grabbed my shirt until
\nthe buttons popped off and beat me with a sapu lidi (mattress
\nbeater).\"<\/p>\n
The nursemaids were forced to sign statements that they were
\nnot abused or threatened. They were not allowed to leave the
\nhouse for three days in order for their wounds and bruises to
\nheal.<\/p>\n
They had also suffered psychological abuse as they were
\nrequired to sleep in their employers' bedroom with the baby,
\nwitnessing the couple making love and watching porn movies.<\/p>\n
Gatot of LBH Jakarta urged the rights commission to launch a
\nprobe into this case. \"We have also reported this to Central
\nJakarta Police,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The women just want their one-month salary of Rp 750,000
\n(US$79.2), while Solikhah also asked that her confiscated mobile
\nphone be returned to her.<\/p>\n
Komnas HAM official Yuwaldi said the commission would first
\nconfirm the allegations with Gen. (ret) Surono and his family.<\/p>\n
When The Jakarta Post came to Surono's residence, there was
\nnobody home. \"Everybody left yesterday evening,\" said a guard.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/maids-report-abuse-to-rights-body-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}