'Do we need law on maids?'

'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