RI migrant workers at risk of HIV/AIDS

RI migrant workers at risk of HIV/AIDS

Andi Hajramuni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar

Migrant workers, far from home and often poorly educated, are at
particular risk of becoming infected with HIV/AIDS and spreading
the virus, experts and activists said on Saturday.

Speaking at a discussion in Makassar, South Sulawesi, those
concerned with the issue said migrant workers were at greater
risk because of the abuses they suffered and from a lack of
knowledge about the disease.

Cecep Junaidi of the Pelita Ilmu Foundation said that in 2002
alone, at least 69 migrant workers were known to have been
infected with the HIV/AIDS virus. This figure was collected from
clinics nationwide that issue health certificates to migrant
workers.

However, the actual number of infected workers is probably
much higher, as many migrant workers go abroad without legal
documents, said Cecep.

Taufiek Zulbahary, the head of the health and migration
division at non-governmental organization Women's Solidarity,
said a lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS increased the risk for
migrant workers.

Many male migrant workers, far from their wives, frequent
prostitutes and rarely use condoms. Women migrant workers, who
according to estimates comprise some 75 percent of all Indonesian
migrant workers, are at risk of falling into or being forced into
prostitution, he said.

In addition to falling into prostitution, some women migrant
workers have been raped by their employers or others, putting
them at risk for HIV/AIDS.

Taufiek said the government must increase protection and
education for migrant workers to help them avoid HIV/AIDS.

The government should pass laws and regulations that help
protect the workers, while at the same time introducing safe sex
campaigns targeted at migrant workers, he said.

Suprihatin, an executive at an organization that promotes the
rights of migrant workers, said Indonesia failed to protect its
overseas workers.

Citing an example, she said that out of 109 articles in the
law on migrant workers, only eight of the articles were concerned
with the protection of the workers. Most of the remaining 101
articles were on the business aspects of sending migrant workers
abroad.