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.