More groups protest labor bill

Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

More women's groups demanded on Friday that the House of Representatives delay the endorsement of the migrant workers' protection bill as it did not include protection of undocumented workers, who make up the bulk of Indonesians employed overseas.

National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) chairwoman Kamala Chandrakirana said the bill neglected the fact that illegal migrant workers were actually victims who still deserved government protection.

"Regardless of the status of their documents or their competency, migrant workers are human beings who deserve respectful treatment and have the right to protection from all types of abuse from their agencies or employers.

"And that's where the government should come in as it has the duty to keep its citizens safe and well while working outside the country," said Kamala.

The bill says protection will be given to migrant workers whose "legal documents meet requirements set by the government."

Member of the Consortium for the Protection of Rights of Migrant Workers (KOPBUMI) Suprihartin sided with Kamala, saying that migrant workers needed to pay extra fees to receive protection from the government.

"Isn't it absurd? It's explicitly written in the bill that migrant workers have to pay certain fees before they are able to receive protection from the government," said Suprihartin, known as Tina.

Article 79 of the bill says migrant workers have to pay fees for documents, medical tests and certificates of competency.

Article 63 and 87 stipulate that migrant workers have to pay fees for training and protection, respectively.

Meanwhile, article 9 of the bill says Indonesian migrant workers are subject to service fees and placement fees.

"Should they refuse to pay any of those fees, they will be punished, such as a cancellation of their work contract and deportation at their own cost. And they will not receive any protection," Tina said during a press conference.

She added that the women's groups did not encourage illegal migrant workers, but they still wanted them to be protected.

Kamala agreed with Tina, saying the government-sponsored bill focused too much on placement of migrant workers rather than protecting them.

"Therefore, we call on the House and the government to postpone the endorsement of the bill as it needs reviewing," said Kamala.

Komnas Perempuan and KOPBUMI will organize a peace rally in various cities, including Jakarta, Makassar, Palembang and Lampung simultaneously on Monday to raise public awareness of the flawed bill.

The House has planned to endorse the bill before its current term ends on Sept. 30.