Fate of migrant workers

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