Migrant worker exploitation continues in labor export firms

Migrant worker exploitation continues in labor export firms

JAKARTA (JP): An 18-year-old migrant worker said on Thursday
that she had been taken hostage by a labor export company for a
month because she failed to pay the compensation demanded by the
firm after she was sent home by her dissatisfied employer.

Ucu Sumarni said that PT GWJP sent her to Johor, Malaysia,
last December to work as a housemaid, but she was sent home on
Jan.4 as her employer complained that she was not capable.

PT GWJP asked Ucu to pay Rp 4.5 million in compensation, and
refused to let her go before she made the payment, Antara
reported on Thursday.

Ucu, who was from Karawang, West Java, told the news agency in
the office of the Legal Aid Institute for Indonesian Migrant
Workers (LPBH TKI), that there are still 10 other migrant workers
who are being held by the company, located on Jl.Cipinang,
Cempedak II, Polonia, East Jakarta, for a similar reason.

Ucu's mother, Yoyoh, said that she managed to collect Rp 1.5
million and took the money to the company. But the firm refused
to release Ucu as it was less than the sum demanded.

Yoyoh then went to LPBH TKI, which reported the case to the
Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration.

PT GWPJ finally freed Ucu at the request of Director-General
of Manpower Placement Soeramsihono, according to the director of
LPBH TKI, Munir Achmad.

The owner of the labor export company said she suffered losses
because Ucu only worked for such a short time in Malaysia.

Munir alleged that the company had violated the regulations,
which require that a labor export company should train the
workers before sending them abroad, and insure them.

Had Ucu been insured, the company could claim compensation as
she was sent home before completing her term, Munir said.

Ucu said that she had never been given any training as she was
sent to Johor only one day after she arrived at the company's
office.

Munir believed that there are many other cases which are
similar to Ucu's.

Meanwhile Yunus M. Yamani, chairman of the newly-established
Association of Indonesian Migrant Worker Suppliers (Himsataki),
said that manpower officials are often involved in the
exploitation of migrant workers.

He said that the government should take stern action, not only
against any errant labor export company, but also against the
manpower officers involved in the case.

He also revealed that he had repeatedly reported a number of
cases that involved manpower officials, but so far there was no
follow-up from the authorities, Antara reported.

"It is time for the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration to
radically reform itself by implementing strict action for all,"
he said.

Otherwise, the migrant workers export program, which has been
running for about 20 years, will be marred by dreadful stories
about the exploitation of workers, including extortion against
them, cheating, torturing and rape of the laborers, he said.

Yamani also blamed the Association of Labor Export Companies
(Apjati) for the dire situation. He said that the association had
failed to guide its members.

Apjati had earlier complained to the Ministry of Manpower and
Transmigration about the establishment of an association outside
Apjati. This could hamper the efforts to improve the labor export
program made by Apjati and the government, according to a letter
dated March 28, signed by Apjati chairman Husein Alaydrus and
Secretary-General Anthon Sihombing.

Yamani said he set up the association because he felt
concerned about the poor conditions of migrant workers. (sim)