WE SHOULD STOP SENDING OUR WORKERS GO ABROAD

SUGGESTION

The migrant workers who will leave to Arab should be trained first, especially about the language. There should be strict protection for them. If the Arabs were guilty, she should be punished. How could she sadistic torture people without severely punished?

If the Govt unable to provide employment, at least the Government should be able to protect its citizens in foreign countries. I feel national our pride being trampled to see it. Maybe because in there are still buying slaves behavior in Arab, so they could treat the servant as they want. But, the Govt should work hard to change the perception of such slavery. If not the government who stepping in, who else?

The government should equip the workers before they left for abroad at least 6 months prior to departure, both language and the ability to work, to minimize the violence against TKIs. The Indonesian government must be proactive to press the Govt of Saudi Arabia to immediately resolve the problem of violence. Do not let this case stalled, so the perpetrators can freely roam. Besides, the government also must provide specialized agencies stationed in each of the countries targeted by the TKIs. The agency works to welcome suggestions and seek information about migrant workers abroad.

The Govt should first improve the legal system and procedure for sending migrant workers, before sending the workers again. The government needs to increase and expand job opportunities for citizens in the country, to minimize the number of Indonesian citizens who are interested in working abroad. Even if still sending workers abroad, it should be limited only to citizens who have the skills. Sending the unskilled migrant workers should be stopped; they are vulnerable to various problems. In addition, the Indonesian Embassy in the country of placement should also actively monitor and give guidance to the workers.

The government should send skilled workers that are not underestimated by others. Keep in mind also, many Indonesian workers who choose to venture overseas because of economic demands, although they have lack of skills. For this reason, the National Commission for Women through a section of migrant workers will make recommendations to the Government. This is to anticipate the possibility of more violence against migrant workers abroad. If this is not prepared properly, the result will be like that. It is the responsibility of state administrators through relevant departments to train, provide knowledge and equip them well.

The policy to provide cell-phones to workers in Saudi Arabia to prevent the torture practices of the employer is evidence that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is not serious in solving the problem of migrant workers. By giving the cell- phones, the Indonesian Govt seems unnecessary to do much, no need to negotiate with destinations countries, no need to bother; it’s so easy and instant. The government only submitted the budget to Parliament for the procurement of cell-phones.

The Indonesian government should urge the destination countries that still not providing legal certainty yet for the right information and communication. It should be guaranteed that these rights are stipulated in the contract of employment or bilateral agreements with destination countries, and not on the procurement of the cell phone. In addition, each migrant worker should be provided with the understanding of rights, local state laws, mechanisms of problem solving, culture, language, and skills standards. Not just a phone!

Indonesia must be firm. Bangladesh is poorer than Indonesia, was no longer send domestic labor. So, where is our dignity now? Do not let the dignity of our nation pledged to simplify the problem and the expense of national pride. Equality of Indonesia with the country that employs migrant workers is essential. If equality among nations built well, people overseas will also respect our workers there. Now, we do not dare to push Malaysia. In fact, it is important in diplomacy.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono should actively protect his citizens abroad, and not just focus on the domestic only. In addition, the government also should develop a memorandum of understanding with the Arabs on TKI. So, the President must communicate with the King of Saudi Arabia. The action was to demonstrate the commitment that our country did have a concern about this issue. In addition, the legal process there must also continue to be monitored.

During the time, real improvements are required. These improvements can be started from the recruitment site, improvement of TKI Service Company (agency), and preparation of tough lawyers who are able to defend the workers in the future. In addition, the lag time, it is necessary that certain memorandum of understanding between Indonesia and the recipient country, so that the dimensions of protection can be even stronger.

                Therefore, the Government of Indonesia must be more serious, for the same thing does not happen again in the future. If necessary, the Government could set the red zones to state that during this placement produces proven many cases of violence against migrant workers.