NGO demands housemaid ruling

YOGYAKARTA: Dozens of people marched to the local provincial legislative council on Monday, demanding regulations to protect housemaids from possible abuse and arbitrary treatment.

The protesters, organized by the nongovernmental organization, Tjoet Njak Dien Foundation, staged a performance at the legislature building depicting the weak bargaining power of housemaids against their employers.

The coordinator of the protesters, Winarto, said that the move was aimed at reminding councillors of the draft of regulation on housemaids submitted by the Tjoet Njak Dien Foundation early last year.

"It's been more than a year since we submitted the draft last year. Many housemaids are not well paid, some others are abused and unprotected," Winarto said.

Deputy speaker of the provincial legislative council Nur Achmad Affandi, who received the protesters, denied allegations that the councillors had ignored the draft. He said that Commission E for social affairs was currently conducting a study on the matter.

Tasikmalaya is one of few regencies in the country to have already adopted regional regulations on housemaids.

"Our concern over this matter is not only driven by housemaids employed in the city, but also on the fact that many Yogyakartans, mostly from Gunung Kidul regency, work as housemaids in many big cities across the country," Achmad said. (44)