Nursemaids report abuse to rights commission

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.