Fate of migrant workers

From Koran Tempo

There are three business that are the most lucrative in the world: guns, narcotics and human. We have them all in Indonesia with human trafficked known as Indonesian Workers (TKI).

Between 2000 and 2001, accordng to the government the Indonesian workers abroad, amounting to five million mostly in informal sectors, have brought in Rp 43.7 trillion in foreign exchange.

The amount does not include the money collected from the illegal workers and individuals.

Ironically, the heroes (as they have brought in that huge amount of money to the state) have received improper treatment in return.

Many of them have been cheated, harassed, sexually abused and illegally trafficked. Many of them have also improperly treated by their masters who have refused to pay them.

Records made by the Police's Kramat Jati Hospital in Jakarta indicate that at around 36 Indonesian workers are treated monthly for depression or mental disturbance.

The new Decree No. 104.A/2002 issued by the Minister of Manpower and Transmigration in June has even weakened the position of our migrant workers. According to the Decree, the workers are subject to punishment for the sake of their employers' or masters' rights.

The workers must be united to fight for their rights as there is no other best solution to deal with the catastrophe.

Joining an organization (workers union) is the basic right of all workers. I call all Indonesian workers at home and abroad to unite to fight for justice.

EDDY PURWANTO, Jakarta