School no chore as domestic helpers learn their rights
School no chore as domestic helpers learn their rights
Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta
Suparmi had to drop out of junior high a year ago, as her parents could no longer afford to pay her school fees.
With limited skills she set out to find a job. Few choices were open to her and becoming a pembantu rumah tangga (domestic helper) was a last resort.
"Anything will do, I don't mind working as a domestic helper but I pray that my employers are kindhearted," said Suparmi, who is from Pedan village in Klaten, Central Java.
She is one of 12 students who are taking a course to learn how to be a domestic helper. Called the PRT School (School of Domestic Helpers) and located on Jl. Nitikan Baru 25, the school is run by non-governmental organization Rumpun Tjoet Nyak Dhien (RTND).
Group chairwoman Lita Anggraeni said the school, which was founded in July 2003, aims to prepare its students for life as a domestic helper.
It's common knowledge that many domestic workers are abused by their employers. Sadly, there is no law that protects the rights of informal workers, she said.
During the three-and-a-half month course, participants are not merely trained to do household chores, they are taught how to drive a car and a motorcycle, to operate a computer, speak English and how to prepare a work contract.
"This is important so that they recognize their rights and are able to seek protection," Lita said.
Their work is not classified as a profession by the government, thus the rights of domestic workers are often violated. They may suffer poor working conditions or are underpaid. Sometimes, they work hard but receive no payment at all.
The course offers three major areas of study: domestic work, babysitting, and home-based nursing. All subjects are taught in a simple manner that is readily absorbed by the students.
"I am trained to look after both children and the elderly. I will probably receive a salary of around Rp 350,000 a month, which is the minimum wage for the Yogyakarta area," Siti Muthia, 24, said. Siti had already worked as a domestic helper prior to joining the course, but wanted to further develop her skills.
Siti said she could guarantee the satisfaction of her new employer.
"I'll also ask for one day off a week, or compensation of Rp 25,000 if I can't take my scheduled day off because my employer still needs me," Siti said.
To join the course, a participant has to be at least 16 years of age. So far, according to Lita, most participants are from Yogyakarta, usually from the poor, dry area of Gunungkidul in the southeastern part of the province. There are also students from the neighboring provinces of Central Java, East Java, and West Java. Again, most come from poor, rural families.
"So far, 125 students have graduated," Lita said, adding that the course is basically free. Those who can afford it are asked to pay with rice -- five kilograms a month.
"Many pay with vegetables, such as tomatoes or cassava, depending on what they are farming back home," Lita said.
The organization says that it continues to monitor its graduates once they are employed, to ensure they are performing well and happy in their work.
The monitoring is carried out through the association of domestic helpers, Serikat PRT Tunas Mulia, which was founded in 2003 with the assistance of the RTND.
"The association has several branches in Yogyakarta, where members regularly hold meetings and discussions. At the meetings, the workers are given advice on how to solve any problems that they may face in the future," Lita said.