On women migrant workers

On women migrant workers

From Republika

News of the imprisonment of hundreds of Indonesian women
migrant workers (TKW) in Kuwait aroused our concern. In the
present era of reform with its greater transparency, and with the
sophisticated information technology that reduces the overhead
costs of recruitment agencies, this should not happen and the
TKWs should receive better service.

The agencies recruiting migrant workers should give priority
to providing services for Indonesian workers and overseas
employers, while emphasizing two important aspects for the TKW:
security and protection. Most Indonesian migrant workers have
little education and a slim knowledge of the cultures and
languages of destination countries, which often leads to
miscommunication.

Protection of Indonesian workers abroad is also very weak, in
terms of software and hardware. This is unlike the Philippines,
which offers an all-out defense for its citizens facing
difficulties overseas, so that their foreign employers take great
care in treating them. Why don't we follow this example?

Public confidence in the government's performance, so far
considered poor, needs to be restored. By providing good service
for society, the government will gain more support. Otherwise,
the public will have no trust in the government, regardless of
the leadership and political party behind it.

YANTI
Jakarta