School no chore as domestic helpers learn their rights<\/p>\n
Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
Suparmi had to drop out of junior high a year ago, as her parents
\ncould no longer afford to pay her school fees.<\/p>\n
With limited skills she set out to find a job. Few choices
\nwere open to her and becoming a pembantu rumah tangga (domestic
\nhelper) was a last resort.<\/p>\n
\"Anything will do, I don't mind working as a domestic helper
\nbut I pray that my employers are kindhearted,\" said Suparmi, who
\nis from Pedan village in Klaten, Central Java.<\/p>\n
She is one of 12 students who are taking a course to learn how
\nto be a domestic helper. Called the PRT School (School of
\nDomestic Helpers) and located on Jl. Nitikan Baru 25, the school
\nis run by non-governmental organization Rumpun Tjoet Nyak Dhien
\n(RTND).<\/p>\n
Group chairwoman Lita Anggraeni said the school, which was
\nfounded in July 2003, aims to prepare its students for life as a
\ndomestic helper.<\/p>\n
It's common knowledge that many domestic workers are abused by
\ntheir employers. Sadly, there is no law that protects the rights
\nof informal workers, she said.<\/p>\n
During the three-and-a-half month course, participants are not
\nmerely trained to do household chores, they are taught how to
\ndrive a car and a motorcycle, to operate a computer, speak
\nEnglish and how to prepare a work contract.<\/p>\n
\"This is important so that they recognize their rights and are
\nable to seek protection,\" Lita said.<\/p>\n
Their work is not classified as a profession by the
\ngovernment, thus the rights of domestic workers are often
\nviolated. They may suffer poor working conditions or are
\nunderpaid. Sometimes, they work hard but receive no payment at
\nall.<\/p>\n
The course offers three major areas of study: domestic work,
\nbabysitting, and home-based nursing. All subjects are taught in a
\nsimple manner that is readily absorbed by the students.<\/p>\n
\"I am trained to look after both children and the elderly. I
\nwill probably receive a salary of around Rp 350,000 a month,
\nwhich is the minimum wage for the Yogyakarta area,\" Siti Muthia,
\n24, said. Siti had already worked as a domestic helper prior to
\njoining the course, but wanted to further develop her skills.<\/p>\n
Siti said she could guarantee the satisfaction of her new
\nemployer.<\/p>\n
\"I'll also ask for one day off a week, or compensation of Rp
\n25,000 if I can't take my scheduled day off because my employer
\nstill needs me,\" Siti said.<\/p>\n
To join the course, a participant has to be at least 16 years
\nof age. So far, according to Lita, most participants are from
\nYogyakarta, usually from the poor, dry area of Gunungkidul in the
\nsoutheastern part of the province. There are also students from
\nthe neighboring provinces of Central Java, East Java, and West
\nJava. Again, most come from poor, rural families.<\/p>\n
\"So far, 125 students have graduated,\" Lita said, adding that
\nthe course is basically free. Those who can afford it are asked
\nto pay with rice -- five kilograms a month.<\/p>\n
\"Many pay with vegetables, such as tomatoes or cassava,
\ndepending on what they are farming back home,\" Lita said.<\/p>\n
The organization says that it continues to monitor its
\ngraduates once they are employed, to ensure they are performing
\nwell and happy in their work.<\/p>\n
The monitoring is carried out through the association of
\ndomestic helpers, Serikat PRT Tunas Mulia, which was founded in
\n2003 with the assistance of the RTND.<\/p>\n
\"The association has several branches in Yogyakarta, where
\nmembers regularly hold meetings and discussions. At the meetings,
\nthe workers are given advice on how to solve any problems that
\nthey may face in the future,\" Lita said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/school-no-chore-as-domestic-helpers-learn-their-rights-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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