The fate of Indonesian workers

The fate of Indonesian workers

From Neraca

Many complaints were heard from housewives when Lebaran
arrived because of the housework they had to tackle themselves.
The annual exodus of servants leaves many families in discomfort.
It is at this time that families -- particularly Jakartan
families -- realize how noble the profession of a servant really
is. Despite their immense influence, they are often overlooked
because of the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Only in the larger sense of the general public, will the
presence of the informal sector be sorely missed.

After the servants have left for their hometown, food vendors
followed suit. Lebaran also emphasizes how dependent the middle
class really is on the little man in the road.

Not too long ago we were shocked by the news of the arrival of
a package from Malaysia, which contained the remains of an
Indonesian worker who was returned to his family. The questions
who dispatched the grizzly parcel and how the unfortunate worker
met his fate, still remain unanswered.

This is another example of shameless disregard for people
working in the informal sector. We do not seem to care for our
workers who have met their death in other countries, despite the
fact that workers in alien countries are filling our country's
coffers.

Imagine how the family felt when their son's remains were
dispatched by special delivery and then not told what calamity
had befallen him in the country where he worked. How would we
feel if this happened to us? It is hoped there is still some
human feeling left in us for the suffering of people working in
foreign countries, regardless of the type of work.

GUNTUR

Jakarta