Help sought for stranded Myanmarese

Help sought for stranded Myanmarese

The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Maluku

The Ambon branch of the Indonesian Mariners Union (KPI) has
called on the London-based International Transport Workers'
Federation (ITF) to step in and help Myanmarese sailors who have
been stranded in Southeast Maluku regency for several years.

KPI Ambon chairman Ignatius Joko Susanto said on Monday the
Myanmarese had been cheated and abandoned by their employers and
were wanted by the local police for alleged immigration offenses.

Joko said the union registered 1,266 mariners from Myanmar who
had been sent to Maluku in 1995 without proper documents,
including some who carried fake passports.

"Via KPI headquarters, we expect the ITF to help settle the
various problems facing the Myanmarese sailor and take action
against their employers and clients of the companies who sent
them here," Joko said in a statement.

He said 555 Myanmarese mariners were working in ports in the
Southeast Maluku capital of Tual, 221 had been living with local
residents and the rest had died from illnesses and abuse by their
local employers. KPI Ambon also found 48 Myanmarese had married
local women and sired 102 children.

Joko said some of the foreign sailors had tried to seek
employment although they did not have work permits.

"They have fled to small islands or to forests to escape
arrest. Three Myanmarese were detained recently, but were
released after they each paid Rp 1 million (US$108) for bail," he
said.

KPI Ambon records show four Myanmarese were discharged from
Tual's Langgur General Hospital after being treated for injuries
sustained from abuse allegedly committed by their Indonesian
employers. Joko said the four owed the hospital Rp 4 million in
medical fees.

The mariners union has asked the ITF to help repatriate the
Myanmarese sailors and assist those married to local women to
obtain Indonesian citizenship.

The union has also appealed to its headquarters to open an
office in the remote regency to help resolve the problems faced
by the Myanmarese.