Indonesia: Exploitation & Abuse - the plight of domestic workers
© Amnesty International
Many of the estimated 2.6 million women domestic workers in Indonesia face human rights abuses at work. Often forced to work from as young as 12, they suffer economic exploitation, poor working conditions and gender-based discrimination. Many are subjected to physical, psychological and sexual violence. Some are even killed.
The harsh conditions they endure often remain hidden from view due to a lack of regulation of their work, low social status, and the fact they work in private homes. This "invisibility" means that their situation is often unknown, suppressed or ignored.
Domestic workers face an acute risk of sexual abuse, including rape. A 22-year-old domestic worker was forced by her employer in Jakarta to have sex with his younger brother. When she fell pregnant, she was expelled from the household. She was paid her outstanding wages and given Rp 40,000 [US$ 4] to cover transport costs.
Such cases of abuse and exploitation go under-reported to the police. Domestic workers are isolated from family and friends, their work is unregulated, and they are often scared of the police. They also risk losing their jobs if they speak out – a risk many cannot afford to take.
Ratna's Story
Ratna started her life as a domestic worker when she was 13 years old. “I cleaned the house, cooked, swept the floor, and took care of the children,” she says, “every day from five in the morning until midnight.” No breaks were allowed. She could only go outside once a week – to hang the washing out. Like many women domestic workers, Ratna did not have her own room. “[I slept] in the kitchen with no mattress, just on the floor. I felt cold… scared,” she says. “My employer locked me in the room [every evening], saying it was for my protection. I couldn’t go to the bathroom during the night.”
AI's report on women domestic workers >> > more
In a promising development, the government developed a draft law on domestic workers to parliament - but Amnesty International is concerned that it omits fundamental workers' rights, including clearly defined daily hours of work and rest periods and a minimum wage. In Addition, a law on domestic violence (2004) is not being implemented fully and most people are unaware that it applies to domestic workers.
AI is calling for domestic workers to be protected by current legislation safeguarding workers' rights in Indonesia, in particular the 2003 Manpower Act, currently under revision, which guarantees rights to other workers including a minimum wage, a 40-hour working week, and standards providing for regular breaks and holidays. Without the same legal protection domestic workers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation.
AI is also calling for the draft law on domestic workers to be amended so that it is consistent with international law and not less favourable than what is provided for in the Manpower Act;. The drafting and passing of the draft law should be given the highest priority by the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration and other relevant parties.
AI is also calling for the Domestic Violence Law to be publicize to domestic workers, their employers and recruitment agents, including through the media.