5,000 women workers stranded in Middle East

5,000 women workers stranded in Middle East

JAKARTA (JP): More than 5,000 women workers have fled their
employers and are being housed temporarily in Indonesian
embassies across the Middle East, according to the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.

One of the major impediments to assisting these workers is
that many of them entered their countries of employment
illegally, an official at the Labor Export Association (Apjati)
said.

Apjati deputy chairman Jamal Aziz said that based on reports
he had received, Indonesian embassies in the Middle East were
having financial difficulties housing the workers and no action
was being taken to repatriate the women.

He said that according to reports, the workers were being
accommodated in dormitories in embassies in a number of
countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.

Jamal said most of the workers were employed as domestic
servants and fled their jobs after suffering abuse at the hands
of their employers.

"Many left their jobs after being raped and tortured by their
employers, and many others fled because they were not being paid
accordingly," he said, adding that many workers facing similar
difficulties were able to return to Indonesia at their own
expense.

He said Apjati could not be blamed for the plight of many of
the workers because they entered their countries of employment
illegally and no Indonesian companies affiliated with the
association were involved in their employment.

"After checking their entrance to the countries, we found the
workers were supplied by companies and individuals who have no
labor export license. It is the new government's responsibility
to repatriate the workers and take action against those who
smuggled them overseas," Jamal said.

According to data from Apjati, there were some 600,000
Indonesian workers employed as domestic servants in Middle
Eastern countries. The workers' salaries vary from country to
country.

Jamal pointed to one local businessman who he alleged
illegally supplied Indonesian workers to Kuwait.

"Some 122 workers sent by him have run away from their jobs
and are now being housed at the Indonesia Embassy in Kuwait
because they are in trouble with their employers," he said.

"Most of the workers have no work visas or contracts. Such a
condition allowed their employers to treat them arbitrarily," he
said, adding that the Indonesian government should lobby Kuwait
to give greater protection to Indonesians working in the
country.

The issue of Indonesian workers abroad has been a constant
problem for the government for several years.

Despite the high profile of recorded cases of mistreatment and
abuse, working abroad continues to be an attractive option for
many, especially those from small villages, as they are lured
with the prospect of attaining high income during a time of
economic crisis at home. (rms)