`Migrant workers source of foreign exchange'<\/p>\n
The rampant extortion at the Soekarno-Hatta International
\nAirport's Terminal III, which is used exclusively for receiving
\nreturning migrant workers, has been condemned by activists. Even
\nlegislators have accused the government of only seeking money
\nfrom the workers without providing proper protection for them.
\nThe Jakarta Post asked some people for their views on the issue:<\/p>\n
Hendardi, 45, is the chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid and
\nHuman Rights Association (PBHI) in Central Jakarta. He lives in
\nCipete, South Jakarta, with his wife and two children:<\/p>\n
I am of the opinion that returning migrant workers must be
\ntreated well as they represent a significant source of foreign
\nexchange. They should be treated as national heroes.<\/p>\n
As for the airport's Terminal III, it is not necessary to
\nclose it down. I think it would be better for the relevant
\ninstitutions to make serious efforts to improve the conditions
\nthere through better control mechanisms. Thuggery and extortion
\nmust be eradicated.<\/p>\n
There must also be an independent commission involving the
\npublic, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and university
\nstudents to monitor the homecoming of migrant workers.<\/p>\n
It is completely impossible to rely on the corrupt officers to
\nmonitor them. I don't trust the corrupt system here.<\/p>\n
A.G. Eka, 33, is a lecturer at the Atma Jaya Catholic
\nUniversity in South Jakarta. He lives in Joglo, West Jakarta,
\nwith his wife and son:<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration should be
\nresponsible for alleviating the problems of our migrant workers,
\nincluding the poor conditions at Terminal III.<\/p>\n
I think the government is very stupid for not considering the
\ngreat role these workers play in contributing billions of dollars
\nin foreign exchange earnings to this country.<\/p>\n
The extortion of migrant workers by thugs and officials at
\nTerminal III must be eradicated. I would definitely agree with
\nthe idea of closing down Terminal III.<\/p>\n
The government must provide the same treatment to returning
\nmigrant workers as to other airline passengers. They (the
\nworkers) should not be discriminated against, particularly in
\ntheir own country.<\/p>\n
NGOs must work with the government in the effort to protect
\nthe rights of workers.<\/p>\n
Rina, 24, is student at Trisakti University in West Jakarta.
\nShe lives in Tomang, West Jakarta, with her family:<\/p>\n
I think closing down the airport's terminal III will not solve
\nthe core problem. It is more important to improve the performance
\nof the officials responsible for handling returning migrant
\nworkers.<\/p>\n
Besides, the terminal's closure would only encourage the thugs
\nto move to other terminals. If that happened, I'm afraid
\nforeigners arriving at the airport would then be targeted.<\/p>\n
Extortion is chronic at the airport. Even taxi drivers there
\ncharge ordinary passengers, not migrant workers, Rp 100,000
\n(US$11.77) regardless of the distance.<\/p>\n
This sort of thing must be stopped soon. The National
\nCommission on Human Rights and NGOs must work hard to protect the
\nrights of the returning workers, as the government has failed to
\ndo so.<\/p>\n
They have exactly the same rights as other human beings
\nworldwide. Unfortunately, our corrupt government can't protect
\nthem. It has no commitment at all to protecting its citizens, and
\nthat's a fact!<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/migrant-workers-source-of-foreign-exchange-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }