Migrant worker detained by agency

Migrant worker detained by agency

Evi Mariani, Jakarta

An underage migrant worker, Ani Kurnia Suparna, 16, has been
detained at a recruitment agency boarding house in Kalideres,
West Jakarta, for four months. The agency has demanded Rp 4.5
million (US$500) for her release.

Ani's aunt Laras Kusnadi reported the case to Jakarta Police
Headquarters on Wednesday.

"I asked the agency to let me pick up Ani. She has to go home
to Subang, West Java, as her mother is ill," she said. "But the
agency said I had to pay Rp 4.5 million to take her."

Laras added the agency management -- whom she identified as PT
BKW -- claimed the fee would cover medical expenses incurred by
Ani.

Laras had earlier reported the case to the Ministry of
Manpower and Transmigration.

"An official at the ministry told me to file a report with the
police. The agency may have violated the law on manpower by
sending an underage girl to work abroad, and detaining her,"
Laras said.

The law stipulates that migrant workers must be over the age
of 20.

The police confirmed the report had been filed, saying that
based on an initial investigation the agency would probably be
charged with violating Article 335 of the Criminal Code on
unpleasant conduct.

From December 2003 to January 2004, Ani worked as a shop
attendant in Malaysia. Laras said her niece had suffered swollen
legs from long hours standing, and her employer had sent her back
to the agency in Indonesia.

Laras said she had visited Ani, who seemed to be in good
health, at the shelter several times. She claimed she could not
come up with the money and nor could Ani's family in Subang.