RI to push Malaysia on worker protection<\/p>\n
Dewi Santoso and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea left on
\nWednesday for Malaysia to push for the signing of a bilateral
\nagreement on protection of Indonesians working in the informal
\nsector in that country.<\/p>\n
Indonesia and Malaysia signed earlier this month a memorandum
\nof understanding (MOU) on Indonesian migrant workers employed in
\nthe formal sector. The MOU, which will come into effect on Aug.
\n10 this year, sets out the requirements with respect to
\nrecruitment, salary and terms of contracts for Indonesian migrant
\nworkers wishing to work in the neighboring country.<\/p>\n
Nuwa Wea said he would meet Malaysian Minister of Human
\nResources Fong Chan Oan on Thursday to discuss the matter.<\/p>\n
During his visit, the minister will also meet Nirmala Bonat,
\nan Indonesian domestic helper who was violently beaten, burned
\nand scalded with boiling water by her Malaysian employer. The
\nemployer is now standing trial for the abuse, which could send
\nher to prison for up to 80 years.<\/p>\n
Nirmala, a native of East Nusa Tenggara, went to Malaysia last
\nSeptember.<\/p>\n
Nirmala's harrowing tale of abuse came as a shock to
\nMalaysians, including Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who
\ncondemned the abuse.<\/p>\n
The abuse has also drawn the attention of President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri, who invited Nirmala's mother, Martha Toni, to her
\nprivate residence in Kebagusan, South Jakarta, on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Later in the day Martha flew to Malaysia to join her daughter.<\/p>\n
Nuwa Wea said that he would also visit Nirmala to \"give her
\nthe support that she desperately needs\".<\/p>\n
As for compensation for Nirmala, Nuwa Wea said that he would
\ndiscuss the matter with Fong.<\/p>\n
Nirmala is not the first Indonesian to suffer from abusive
\ntreatment. Many reports of abuse against Indonesian migrant
\nworkers employed as domestic helpers, including rape, have
\nsurfaced.<\/p>\n
The numerous cases of abuse have prompted widespread demands
\nfor legislation to protect migrant workers, particularly those in
\nthe informal sector.<\/p>\n
Nuwa Wea said that his ministry was currently drafting a bill
\non migrant worker protection.<\/p>\n
\"Hopefully, drafting will be completed soon,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Since his term in office, the country has endorsed laws No.
\n21\/2000 on labor unions, No. 13\/2003 on manpower and No. 2\/2004
\non settlement of industrial disputes. The latter will come into
\neffect on Jan. 15, 2005.<\/p>\n
While receiving Martha, the President called on the public not
\nto rush to blame the government for any abuse involving
\nIndonesian migrant workers, saying the government had done a lot
\nto prevent them from being maltreated.<\/p>\n
Megawati said she learned from Martha that her 19-year-old
\ndaughter sought work in Malaysia without her mother's knowledge.<\/p>\n
\"According to the law, persons who are still in their parents'
\ncare need their consent to work overseas,\" Megawati said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-to-push-malaysia-on-worker-protection-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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