One death too many

The death of Darsih -- an Indonesian female worker -- in Bandar Sri Begawan has added to the long list of deaths of Indonesian workers working abroad. The Women's Solidarity for Human Rights revealed on Dec. 10, 1996 that the Indonesian workers' deaths were mysterious and were not properly dealt with.

Scores of workers were reported by the media to have died abroad, but the real number might be greater than what was reported. They worked in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and other countries. Most of their deaths were due to violent actions, torture, sexual harassment, bad working conditions, accidents and unsafe travel.

What concerns us is the uncertainty and lack of information surrounding their death. The efforts made by the families of the respective victims to find information on the disaster have been futile and the authorities have not helped. Moreover, the Indonesian Embassy tends to cover up the cases, in the name of harmonious relations with the countries concerned.

In this context, the Women's Solidarity for Human Rights has called for closer cooperation with various parties to eliminate or reduce cases of maltreatment of Indonesian workers abroad, by focusing on the following matters:

1. The Indonesian government is expected to seriously handle the cases of the female workers through a structural mechanism to protect workers' rights. The measure could include ratification of the 1990 International Convention concerning the protection of workers' rights, under a bilateral agreement.

2. The law enforcing bodies are required to take stern measures against the domestic suppliers which are linked to the death of workers abroad.

3. The general public, media, social and religious organizations and NGOs are required to cooperate to explore data and report the deaths, and give a helping hand to families of the victims, who try to fight for their rights.

WAHYU SUSILO

Jakarta