'Do we need law on maids?'

Although there is no accurate data on the number of housemaids in Jakarta, it is estimated that almost eight million households in the capital hire one or two of them, who usually hail from villages in West and Central Java. As there are no regulations concerning domestic workers, their basic rights are left unprotected. In conjunction with Human Rights Day on Dec. 10, The Jakarta Post talked to several residents about the issue.

Rohmah, 35, is a housemaid. She lives with her husband, who works at a brick making company, and five children in Suradita village, Serpong, Tangerang:

I am not sure that we need regulations for domestic workers.

However, based on my experience, our welfare depends very much on our employers.

If the employer is good and generous, we will have a good life.

I have been working as a housemaid for many years now. I have moved from one house to another.

If my employers are bad, I just leave them and find another job. I don't worry about not finding a job because I know my services are in high demand.

Frankly, I need the money for my children's education, but it doesn't mean I will put up with being exploited by my employer.

Ita, 31, is a housewife. She lives with her husband and two children in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta:

We often hear sad stories of housemaids working overseas, who are badly treated by their foreign employers.

But before the central government starts drawing up regulations protecting migrant workers, I think it would be much better to look first at how we treat our housemaids at home.

Low salaries, indefinite working hours, not to mention the verbal and physical abuse from employers and their children, have become norms.

Whether she is professional in her work or not, I would not ever complain about my maid's work. I depend on her very much. I would not even think about laying a finger on her.

They are human, too. If we treat them well, they will return it by working well. Otherwise, they may well steal from you. --The Jakarta Post