'Stop violence against women migrant workers'

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Women's Affairs Tutty Alawiyah said on Monday that she regretted violence toward migrant workers, particularly women, and said it must be stopped.

Minister of Justice Muladi also said reports of victimized migrants "had to be taken seriously".

They were speaking after addressing a one-day seminar held by the Mitra Perempuan crisis center and the United Nations Population Fund on overcoming violence against women.

"I've heard terrible reports of sexual abuse or cases of torture (in countries hosting Indonesian female workers) ... It's pitiful and must be stopped," Tutty said.

"I feel deeply concerned by (reports) of violence against Indonesian migrant women, such as have occurred in Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Malaysia," she said.

"All parties should join in helping these women ... we want our workers saved and we want to prevent the abuse of these women," she added.

In response to actions taken by the government, Tutty said her ministry had helped to coordinate psychological support and physical services for abused women.

She cited the case of Imas binti Enan, 22, a worker who is now being treated at a Jakarta hospital. TVRI reported that Imas, who hails from Karawang, West Java, was scheduled to leave the hospital on Tuesday, but doctors said depression may delay her release.

According to Imas, her employer in Saudi Arabia threw acid in her face on Sept. 27 last year. Her employer is reportedly in jail for murdering his wife and one of his children, and for torturing his two other children and Imas.

Muladi said his ministry contacted Indonesian embassies in countries where reports of abuse were revealed.

"I urge the embassies to be active in protecting the workers, and we have coordinated this matter with the Ministry of Manpower."

"It is also necessary for labor supply companies to be carefully supervised. Workers also must be selective and the companies must be responsible for their employees."

Tutty said she had written letters to related agencies about Imas' case.

During the seminar it was revealed that Tutty's ministry and the Mitra Perempuan crisis center were planning to work together to expand services for victims of violence.

"NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) have ability and experience in working with all levels of society. They have the data and information on cases of violence against women ... that's what we lack," Tutty said.

Mitra Perempuan is one of a number of centers which treated victims of sexual assault from last year's May riots in Jakarta.

Muladi said during the seminar that women were prone to be victimized here because of the strong paternalistic culture.

In cases such as marital rape or domestic violence, most women do not file reports because they do not realize that such acts are wrong, he said.

Muladi said that while other countries recognized marital rape, this was not the case in Indonesia because women felt obligated to serve their husbands.

Indonesia's legal definition of rape excludes married couples.

National Police Detective Corps Commander Maj. Gen. Da'i Bachtiar told the seminar that the National Police had a "women's desk" where female police officers handled reports of violence against women.

"It's not a perfect method but at least we have started to move in the right direction on the level of the National Police," he said. (edt)