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.