Nursemaids report abuse to rights commission

Leony Aurora Jakarta

Two nursemaids filed a complaint with the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) citing abusive treatment by their recent employer.

Solikhah, 23, and Suprianti, 20, who are represented by the Jakarta Legal Aid Institution (LBH Jakarta), said that they had been slapped, hit, and confined in the employer's house for three days before people from the labor agency picked them up.

The two young women, along with another nursemaid who refused to come forward, had been taking care of a three-month-old baby since April.

They said their employers, who live in the elite residential area of Menteng at Jl. Cendana No. 15, were Gen. (ret) Surono Harianto, who is in his 70s, and his 23-year-old wife Karlina.

On May 27, Solikhah noticed bruises on the baby and reported it to Surono.

The employers accused them of dropping the baby, and hit the three. A pediatrician identified the blue marks as birthmarks, according to Solikhah and Suprianti.

Solikhah reported the incident to the labor agency, Kasih Ibu Jus Foundation the next day. People from the foundation came to the house, but only to calm the nursemaids.

That evening, one by one they were called to see Surono, Karlina, and Else, the wife of the retired general's assistant.

"They said to me 'why did you squeal to the foundation?'" said Solikhah. "Karlina then slapped me, grabbed my shirt until the buttons popped off and beat me with a sapu lidi (mattress beater)."

The nursemaids were forced to sign statements that they were not abused or threatened. They were not allowed to leave the house for three days in order for their wounds and bruises to heal.

They had also suffered psychological abuse as they were required to sleep in their employers' bedroom with the baby, witnessing the couple making love and watching porn movies.

Gatot of LBH Jakarta urged the rights commission to launch a probe into this case. "We have also reported this to Central Jakarta Police," he said.

The women just want their one-month salary of Rp 750,000 (US$79.2), while Solikhah also asked that her confiscated mobile phone be returned to her.

Komnas HAM official Yuwaldi said the commission would first confirm the allegations with Gen. (ret) Surono and his family.

When The Jakarta Post came to Surono's residence, there was nobody home. "Everybody left yesterday evening," said a guard.