Which side does the government take?

Indonesian workers employed abroad have been ceaselessly victimized by irregularities in the mechanism of their dispatch.

They have fallen victim to brokers, who actually constitute a link in the mafia-like chain of human trade, from the time of recruitment, down to employment and homecoming. These workers frequently have to undergo, unavoidably, various kinds of treatment, from physical, psychological and sexual violence to deception, extortion and so forth, which may result in permanent physical and mental disability and even death.

The latest report (Suara Pembaruan, Sept. 11, 1997) stating that the whereabouts of 434 workers hailing from and sent abroad through PT AlBarakah Corp are today unknown is an addition to the black record of Indonesia's manpower history.

This case calls to mind again the complaints lodged by workers hailing from Ketaton Tempurejo, Jember, at Solidaritas Perempuan (Women's Solidarity) to the effect that they had been neglected (they had not been sent abroad) by PT AlBarakah for over a year, although they each had paid Rp 2 million to the company. This is but one of many cases which have gone unexposed but which are in fact, fraught with problems.

There is another sad report concerning the death on Sept. 4, 1997 of Bayati, 39, a female worker from Purworejo who worked in Malaysia (Suara Merdeka, Sept. 11, 1997). As in the cases of Ati Wardiati and Sutarmi Samin, Bayati's death is wrapped in mystery. It is yet to be clarified what actually caused her death. Only a number of bruises and stitches were found on her neck, chest and stomach.

As cases involving workers become rampant, more and more questions, which are gaining intensity and which unfortunately have gone unanswered, have been posed. How can the government and authorized recruitment companies, both being parties immediately involved in these cases, account for all this? Where has government control gone, which in fact must be exercised with respect to this blatant irregularity or abuse of authority?

Victims continue to fall while the manpower bill, which was ratified on Sept. 11, provides no protection to workers, including Indonesia's migrant laborers, who have always been treated as milch cows in terms of the state foreign exchange receipts.

In fact, many cases have been brought to the attention of the government (in this case the Ministry of Manpower), but until now, no firm action has been taken against authorized recruitment companies, which have continued to disadvantage workers with their acts.

At this juncture, let us again query whether the government is still committed to taking sides with migrant workers or whether the government allows the sending of workers abroad only in the interest of its foreign exchange receipts, without so much as taking the trouble to give them protection.

MISSIYAH

Women's Solidarity

Jakarta