Protection for migrant workers called for

JAKARTA (JP): Women's rights activists urged members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) yesterday to do more to legally protect the migrant workers in their respective countries.

Women's Solidarity submitted a petition to OIC ministers attending a conference at the Jakarta Convention Center.

The banner-waving demonstrators chanted slogans criticizing OIC officials for not doing enough to protect migrant workers.

They said the conditions suffered by many women migrant workers in the organization's 54 member countries were deplorable and the governments should do something about it.

"It is time OIC members translate the 'solidarity among Islamic countries' slogan into concrete action to protect migrant workers," said the petition signed by Tati Krisnawati, the group's chairperson.

The group also expressed their concern that the OIC ministers have failed to address the problems of the common people and migrant workers, Antara reported.

Thousands of Indonesian women work in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia. The group, with relatives of workers who have died or allegedly been mistreated in Saudi Arabia, also demonstrated their concerns at the foreign affairs ministry Tuesday.

The letter said many OIC members send or employ migrant workers in large numbers. "We would like to convey our deepest concern about the migrant workers', especially women's, lack of legal protection."

They urged member countries to ratify the international convention on the protection of rights of all migrants workers and members of their families.

Responding to the group's demand, Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said the conference also discussed the fate of common people.

"We discussed issues related to migrant workers and refugees. We are concerned about workers in general," he said. (pan)