RI workers in Saudi Arabia

RI workers in Saudi Arabia

From Media Indonesia

When I heard a report that sending Indonesian migrant workers to Saudi Arabia had been stopped, I felt both happy and relieved. Why so? Because not a few these workers, particularly women, have had bad experiences here (in Saudi Arabia), as they have been ill-treated by their employers. Some, for example, have not received their salaries for several months. Others have been asked to work without any rest, while still others have been subjected to torture or even rape attempts. All these cases have proved that they have been robbed of their rights, which have, in fact, been nicely put in their work contracts.

Some of these workers have, therefore, run away from their employers because they can no longer bear the ill-treatment. Unfortunately, as they are maids, they have no one to complain to. Some of them, in their desperation, have even jumped from multistoried houses at a risk of sustaining fractured bones and other kinds of wounds. If these workers, especially women, can escape, then their problem will be how to return to Indonesia.

Regarding Indonesia's women migrant workers, the problem also concerns the dignity of Indonesian women. In their attempt to get themselves out of their plight, many of them, whether or not forced by circumstances, will resort to anything, even if it leads them to a sinful road. If I happen to meet men from Egypt, Pakistan or Bangladesh here, they will say that Indonesian women are like this (giving a certain rude thumb gesture). To me, talking about Indonesian women with these gentlemen is really embarrassing.

The decision to stop sending Indonesian migrant workers abroad is really wise for the sake of the nation's dignity and self- respect. Take the Philippines, for example. Their embassies work hard to protect the rights of their citizens working abroad, particularly in Saudi Arabia.

Some time ago, when I had a talk with an Indonesian migrant worker who had just returned here after having leave in Indonesia, I was told that Indonesia had again started sent women workers abroad. Reportedly, the Saudi employers have pledged to honor the work contracts this time. So, what is this really? Didn't they make the same promise before?

UTAJI

PO Box 51255

Jeddah 21512, Saudi Arabia