Problems of migrant workers<\/p>\n
We refer to the report Singapore a killing field for RI
\nmigrant workers (The Jakarta Post, May 16) and the Singapore
\nEmbassy's reply to that article on May 25 . Allow us to
\ncontribute another perspective as Transient Workers Count Too
\n(TWC2) - a Singapore NGO engaged with this issue.<\/p>\n
Firstly, we feel that The Jakarta Post's headline is a gross
\noverstatement attached to an otherwise relatively fair account
\nof the study done on Indonesian domestic workers who have
\nreturned from Singapore.<\/p>\n
TWC2, with other organizations in Singapore, a growing number
\nof citizens, the government and foreign embassies, have been
\nworking to improve conditions for domestic workers of various
\nnationalities. Things are improving, albeit sometimes too
\nslowly and we wish it could be better.<\/p>\n
TWC2 does recognize that Indonesian domestic workers are,
\ncurrently and generally, the lowest paid and most vulnerable to
\nmistreatment. We believe that a limit on working hours, a day off
\nevery week, minimum wages and a clear outline of duties are all
\ncrucial aspects of a standard contract that needs to be agreed
\nupon between the employer and the foreign domestic worker before
\nthey enter into a working relationship. It is our hope that
\nthe various agencies in Singapore and in Indonesia can work
\ntoward achieving this goal, perhaps following the example of a
\ncountry like Jordan that has implemented standard contracts.<\/p>\n
TWC2 believes Indonesian foreign domestic workers should be
\nmade more aware of the different kinds of work they will be
\nexpected to do and also be more empowered through
\nadequate training before they leave Indonesia. Apart from
\nimparting the necessary housekeeping skills to these young
\nwomen, the training should include counseling them on their
\nrights and teaching them to be assertive about them. In general,
\nit would be best to persuade Indonesian families, as far as
\npossible, not to support the recruitment of their daughters as
\ndomestic workers until they are more mature and self-confident
\nyoung women.<\/p>\n
Lastly, TWC 2 would like to say that there are also among us,
\nmany good employers who have stepped beyond their roles as
\nemployers to help foreign domestic workers.<\/p>\n
Our website is www.twc2.org.sg.<\/p>\n
BRAEMA MATHI
\nChairperson, Transient Workers
\nCount Too
\nSingapore<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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