`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.