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)