PRESS STATEMENT
AUGUST 23, 2007
STOP MURDER AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE: FREEZE RECRUITMENT OF DOMESTIC WORKERS.
The Indonesian government has broken its silence. It calls on the Malaysian government to be more pro active in the protection of domestic workers in Malaysia and to make employers accountable.
The situation has become so bad that employers believe with arrogance that they can get away with murder. Kunasir, a 24 yr. old Indonesian domestic worker was found dead with bruised and beaten body.
Tenaganita has rescued 148 domestic workers with over 1050 human rights violations committed by the employers and the recruiting agencies. There are children as young as 14 years old brought to work in slave like conditions. As long as the governments do not address the issue, the situation will become worse.
The blame game has to stop. Both governments have to be accountable for the death, injury, pain, abuse and exploitation that over 400,000 domestic workers go through each day in this country. There is absolutely no political commitment to address the issues of rights protection, decent wages, off days and gender equality.
Each time a case is highlighted in the media, reactionary statements are made. The statements are like pulling the wool over one’s eyes. There has been no change and no difference to the way the domestic workers are treated.
In 2004, when the nation saw the burnt parts of Nirmala Bonat, there was an outcry. The Prime Minister called for serious action. But to date, Bonat stays at the Indonesian Embassy, waiting in vain for the case to be completed. Why are the court and the prosecution dragging their feet? The justice system has failed her and thousands of other migrant workers.
The Malaysian government with arrogance continues to deny Indonesian domestic workers any recognition and protection. This denial has facilitated increased violence, abuse and exploitation that employers act with impunity. The government has created an environment for slavery like practices. It is indeed ironic that as Malaysians we get into
an euphoria of celebrating 50 years of independence but we cannot even see the need for our domestic worker to have a weekly off day.
The Indonesian government must show its political commitment to protect its nationals especially its vulnerable group of domestic workers. It cannot just be interested in its labor export policy and the consequent remittances. The government must protect the domestic workers rights and dignity.
With the right to life threatened and faced with an arrogant government that does not respect women and rights, we call on the Indonesian government to freeze the recruitment of all domestic workers to Malaysia.
Both governments must review the whole policy of recruitment and placement of domestic workers, ensure a standard contract with basic labor rights, including decent wages and a day off a week. If the Malaysian government stays adamant in denying protection of rights, then it should withdraw itself from the UN Human Rights Council.
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No. 31 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman
Tel: +603 2691 3691 / 2697 3671
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