RI maids in Singapore prone to human rights violations
RI maids in Singapore prone to human rights violations
Fadli, Batam, Riau
There are some 55,000 Indonesian maids in Singapore, many of whom
enjoy pleasant working environment. However, the Indonesian
Embassy in Singapore says it receives dozens of reports daily
from maids who claim they have been the victims of abuse.
According to Fachry Sulaiman, the head of protocol and
consular at the embassy, Indonesian maids consult the embassy
mostly on legal issues.
Currently, 40 migrant workers, who claim to have suffered
abuse at the hands of their employers, are living at the embassy
at the "Temporary Shelter for Indonesian Maids Working in
Singapore."
Some claim they were physically or sexually abused, others
simply state that they were not paid for their work. "Most of
them reported their cases to the Singapore police. The cases are
being investigated, while the maids wait to see what happens
next. Most prefer to stay here pending an investigation, rather
than return home to Indonesia," said Fachry.
Nawang, 23, a maid from Kendal in Central Java, said she had
worked in Singapore for two years, but never received her salary.
She used to live at her employer's house in Bukit Timah, but
is now staying at the embassy.
With a wage of S$250 per month, Nawang estimates that she is
owed S$6,000 by her employer.
"I reported my situation to the police, but my passport is
still being kept by my employer. I beg the Indonesian government
to help me solve this problem," she said.
Sari, a maid from Surakarta in Central Java, said her employer
abused her daily.
The 40 migrant workers at the embassy shelter have been living
there for one year.
Fachry said the embassy paid all their expenses, including
three meals a day.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Mochamad Slamet
Hidayat, said that many employees were also the victims of
workplace accidents. He said dozens of Indonesian maids died from
1999 to May 2004 after falling from high-rise apartments in
Singapore. Most fell while hanging out clothes to dry or washing
the windows.
The Indonesian government has asked the Singapore government
to improve the conditions of domestic workers there.