More on migrant workers<\/p>\n
The news on the Nunukan tragedy, once the hottest headlines in
\nthe Indonesian media, has slowly receded from the public eye.
\nHowever, we still often hear comforting reports about fund
\nraising for the suffering Indonesian migrant workers stranded in
\nNunukan, more and more medical and social workers being sent to
\nNunukan, temporary health centers being built in Nunukan, more
\nfood and medicines being transported to Nunukan, and a well-
\norganized administration taking care of the illegal Indonesian
\nmigrant workers. Nevertheless, there are still many shortcomings.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian government should stop looking upon migrant
\nworkers as being vehicles for bringing in foreign exchange,
\ncontributing to economic growth and helping to prevent the
\ncollapse of the country, which is already up to its ears in debt.
\nThey should be treated as normal human beings having rights that
\nneed to be protected.<\/p>\n
Migrant workers, whether documented or undocumented, have
\nrights as workers and as human beings as embodied in the
\nUniversal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Convention on the
\nProtection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of
\ntheir Families, and the other relevant international conventions.<\/p>\n
To anticipate a similar catastrophe in the near future,
\nbesides quickly ratifying the United Nations Convention on the
\nProtection of Migrant Workers and their Families, the Indonesian
\ngovernment should work hand in hand with the trade unions, labor
\nmovement, and migrant and migrant support groups.<\/p>\n
Initiatives should be continuously taken in the areas of
\nproviding assistance to migrants, advocacy, lobbying,
\ncampaigning, networking, documentation, information and research.
\nCooperation should be instituted among peoples and social systems
\nthat are empowering, people-oriented, and which promote
\nsustainable livelihoods and holistic, integrated humanitarian
\nvalues. The trade unions and labor movement should develop a
\nmigrant worker's agenda and build linkages on migrant concerns.<\/p>\n
By working concretely together, the burden on the Indonesian
\ngovernment in handling the problems of Indonesian migrant workers
\nwould be eased.<\/p>\n
LYNDA SOETITO, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-on-migrant-workers-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }