Extortionists 'must be punished'

Extortionists 'must be punished'

JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Manpower Suppliers
urged City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata yesterday to
discipline government officials who extort money from unskilled
workers who return from overseas.

The appeal was made by the association's chairman, Anton
Sihombing, at a meeting between police and businessmen at City
Police Headquarters yesterday.

"Extortion activities have reached such disturbing levels that
it's time now to bust officials, who, in their activities,
usually act in the name of their institutions," he said.

Anton said some extortionists ask workers to pay a Rp 250,000
(US$102) "entrance fee" on their arrival at Soekarno-Hatta
International Airport.

"The reason behind the fee collection is unclear," he said,
adding that the illegal fee burdened the workers, including
domestic helpers and construction workers.

Hamami responded positively to the association's demand by
instructing his subordinates to check on the report.

"If it's true, we'll take stern measures against those
involved. Their activities can be compared to those done by
street hoodlums. Instead of being preyed upon, workers have to be
protected," he said.

Hamami also ordered Tangerang Police precinct Chief Lt. Col.
Iman Haryatna to bring any extortionists to justice.

Besides the extortionists, Anton also told Hamami about the
operation of illegal manpower suppliers.

Anton said that he had demanded the Ministry of Manpower to
take action against illegal suppliers, who usually disregard
procedures when sending workers overseas.

They just neglect procedures because they find some
requirements very complicated, Anton said.

The requirements included insuring all workers a supplier
sends and a bank deposit of Rp 1 billion (US$408,163), he said.

Anton said that suppliers should send better quality workers
to maintain foreign countries' trust in Indonesian workers'
credibility. (cst)