`Migrant workers source of foreign exchange'

`Migrant workers source of foreign exchange'

The rampant extortion at the Soekarno-Hatta International
Airport's Terminal III, which is used exclusively for receiving
returning migrant workers, has been condemned by activists. Even
legislators have accused the government of only seeking money
from the workers without providing proper protection for them.
The Jakarta Post asked some people for their views on the issue:

Hendardi, 45, is the chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid and
Human Rights Association (PBHI) in Central Jakarta. He lives in
Cipete, South Jakarta, with his wife and two children:

I am of the opinion that returning migrant workers must be
treated well as they represent a significant source of foreign
exchange. They should be treated as national heroes.

As for the airport's Terminal III, it is not necessary to
close it down. I think it would be better for the relevant
institutions to make serious efforts to improve the conditions
there through better control mechanisms. Thuggery and extortion
must be eradicated.

There must also be an independent commission involving the
public, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and university
students to monitor the homecoming of migrant workers.

It is completely impossible to rely on the corrupt officers to
monitor them. I don't trust the corrupt system here.

A.G. Eka, 33, is a lecturer at the Atma Jaya Catholic
University in South Jakarta. He lives in Joglo, West Jakarta,
with his wife and son:

The Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration should be
responsible for alleviating the problems of our migrant workers,
including the poor conditions at Terminal III.

I think the government is very stupid for not considering the
great role these workers play in contributing billions of dollars
in foreign exchange earnings to this country.

The extortion of migrant workers by thugs and officials at
Terminal III must be eradicated. I would definitely agree with
the idea of closing down Terminal III.

The government must provide the same treatment to returning
migrant workers as to other airline passengers. They (the
workers) should not be discriminated against, particularly in
their own country.

NGOs must work with the government in the effort to protect
the rights of workers.

Rina, 24, is student at Trisakti University in West Jakarta.
She lives in Tomang, West Jakarta, with her family:

I think closing down the airport's terminal III will not solve
the core problem. It is more important to improve the performance
of the officials responsible for handling returning migrant
workers.

Besides, the terminal's closure would only encourage the thugs
to move to other terminals. If that happened, I'm afraid
foreigners arriving at the airport would then be targeted.

Extortion is chronic at the airport. Even taxi drivers there
charge ordinary passengers, not migrant workers, Rp 100,000
(US$11.77) regardless of the distance.

This sort of thing must be stopped soon. The National
Commission on Human Rights and NGOs must work hard to protect the
rights of the returning workers, as the government has failed to
do so.

They have exactly the same rights as other human beings
worldwide. Unfortunately, our corrupt government can't protect
them. It has no commitment at all to protecting its citizens, and
that's a fact!

-- Leo Wahyudi S.