Open letter to the Malaysian Ambassador<\/p>\n
From Republika<\/p>\n
Your Excellency,<\/p>\n
With this letter, we, Women Solidarity, an NGO concerned with
\nissues related to migrant workers, wish to put forward some
\nmatters relative to the protection of Indonesian workers in
\nMalaysia.<\/p>\n
A few days ago, we were all startled by the sad news of the
\ndeath of eight Indonesian illegal workers and a Malaysian
\npoliceman as a result of a riot in the Semenyih immigration
\ndetention camp.<\/p>\n
So far, there have been no reports in the media -- Indonesian,
\nMalaysian or other international media -- regarding the identity
\nof the eight victims, the number of missing people and the number
\nof injured people. We are in close contact with the families of
\nthe workers in several regions in Indonesia. They are worried and
\nrestless about the lack of clear information.<\/p>\n
We are aware that the problem of illegal workers is the
\nresponsibility of both sides, the Indonesian and the Malaysian
\ngovernment. The huge flow of illegal workers is the result of
\ncomplex bureaucracy and the high cost attached to it, the slack
\ncontrol on the mafia in the trade of workers and the tolerance of
\nparties which make a profit from employing illegal workers.<\/p>\n
A number of incidents have shown that the illegal workers have
\nto bear the heaviest burden because of the weakness in their
\nposition and protection -- both in the country of origin and in
\nthe country of destination. They must face various problems in
\nthe country of destination, such as extortion, violence, sexual
\nabuse and expropriation of property painstakingly acquired.
\nThese are phenomena contrary to the International Convention of
\n1990 on the Protection of Migrant Workers and their Families,
\nwhich, regrettably, has not been ratified either by the Malaysian
\nor the Indonesian government.<\/p>\n
In consideration of the above, we wish, by this simple letter,
\nto urge the Malaysian government to take the following steps:<\/p>\n
1. Publish immediately the names of the dead illegal workers
\nand of people injured as a result of the riots in the Semenyih
\nimmigration detention camp.<\/p>\n
2. Cease the violent actions of the Malaysian security forces,
\nincluding the expropriation of the illegal workers' property.<\/p>\n
3. Postpone deportation until publishing the identity of the
\nworkers detained at the immigration detention camp.<\/p>\n
4. Determine policies that are more humanitarian in responding
\nto the matter of illegal workers.<\/p>\n
We thank you, Your Excellency, for your concern and
\ncooperation.<\/p>\n
TATY KRISNAWATI<\/p>\n
Chairwoman of the Executive Board<\/p>\n
of Women Solidarity<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/open-letter-to-the-malaysian-ambassador-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }