Stop unskilled labor exports, Minister Khofifah says
Stop unskilled labor exports, Minister Khofifah says
SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): State Minister of Women's
Empowerment Khofifah Indar Parawansa expressed her determination
to halt the export of Indonesian housemaids and non-skilled
female workers.
She said past experience has shown that sending ill-prepared
workers with few vocational skills only propagates problems for
the workers themselves.
"We'd do better to stop housemaid exports and promote more
skilled laborers such as nurses, drivers and gardeners to the
Middle East," Khofifah told reporters during a Nadhatul Ulama
(NU) gathering here on Saturday.
Her comments come after President Abdurrahman Wahid's
assertion after meeting with Saudi Arabia's King Fahd last week
that the Indonesian government would not stop the export of
workers.
Abdurrahman admitted that many female workers faced
mistreatment from their employers, but stressed that the economic
realities were much more pressing, in particular, high
unemployment in Indonesia.
"It's not wise to overemphasize the mistakes of some Arabian
employers. Do not hurt the feelings of the Saudi Arabians,"
Abdurrahman said.
According to government statistics, there are about 1.2
million Indonesian workers abroad. The Middle East is one of the
most popular destinations with about 38 percent of the workers in
Saudi Arabia.
It is estimated that their contribution to the national
economy reaches some US$3.5 million annually.
Most workers who go overseas are classified as non-skilled.
Khofifah said the kind of anguish that female workers have had
to endure is inexcusable.
Because of the workers' inexperience and the capricious nature
of some labor export companies, many female workers, apart from
being victims of abuse, are simply unaware of their rights.
"One of our weaknesses has also been that labor officers in
Indonesian embassies or consulate generals abroad are not capable
of helping or protecting the rights of these workers," she added.
But Khofifah conceded that a cessation of the program should
be done gradually in light of the economic plight facing the
country.
She further suggested that labor export companies should be
selected for credibility and sense of responsibility.
She argued that companies that imported Indonesians should
orient the workers towards the respective countries as conditions
and cultures vary.
"In Hong Kong, housemaids are considered as part of the formal
sector, so they can get certain protections and are well paid.
They are also entitled to holidays. These conditions are not
found in Middle Eastern countries," she remarked.(har/04)