Susilo calls for end to abuse of maids abroad

Susilo calls for end to abuse of maids abroad

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has instructed Minister of
Religious Affairs M. Maftuh Basyuni to seek ways to put an end to
abuse suffered by Indonesian maids working in Saudi Arabia.

"Please, settle the cases so there will be no repeat in the
future," he told the minister by telephone while making an
impromptu visit to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport with
several journalists to meet dozens of migrant workers who had
just returned to Indonesia.

Workers and journalists overheard the conversation, as Susilo
had turned on the speaker of his cellular phone.

Maftuh is set to fly to Saudi Arabia on Sunday for an official
visit in relation to the development of a hospital there for
Indonesian pilgrims.

Some of the workers, who looked surprised by Susilo's visit to
the arrival terminal for returning migrant workers, complained
about their ordeal in Saudi Arabia.

One of them told him that the family she worked for as a maid
had sexually abused her. Another said she was not paid her
salary, while several others that they were beaten by their
employers.

Meanwhile, AFP reported the case of an Indonesian maid, Nur
Miyati, who had been abused severely by her employers in Saudi
Arabia. Nur had to have her fingers amputated because of the
extent of the injuries they had sustained.

Despite the wounds and bruises on her body that attest to her
having been a victim of violence, she is to face trial for
"making false allegations which misled the inquiry".

Nur had told the Saudi authorities that she had been tortured
by her employers. However, the authorities concluded
after an inquiry that she had merely been "beaten".

Susilo said he wanted to observe directly how returning
workers were treated by authorities at the airport, amid reports
that they had been subject to extortion by officials and
middlemen.

"It is the responsibility of the government and the state to
protect them," Susilo said after the visit.

The President also asked Ministry of Manpower and
Transmigration and airport officials not to impose illegal fees
on the workers.

"I want such things cleared up. Don't (impose) unnecessary
fees and requirements on the workers," he said, adding that
officials must not create difficulties for the workers.

In the past, migrant workers have frequently been prey to
extortion by middlemen -- most of whom collaborate with
government officials -- particularly at the special arrival
terminal for migrant workers. The most common form of extortion
is forcing workers to pay excessive fees for transportation back
to their hometowns.