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Discuss this article (32 Comments)Indonesia slaps worker ban on Saudi, Kuwait
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Wednesday, 04 November 2009
Some 1,750 Indonesian workers currently working in the Middle East will be repatriated next week amid claims by their government that they are being mistreated.
The migrant workers - employed in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan - will be returned home from November 9 "for their own good", a government official said.
The workers would be brought home because they were not being treated fairly in the Middle East, said Indonesian Manpower and Tranmigration Minister, Muhaimin Iskandar in comments published by the Indonesian News Agency.
The minister said Indonesia would also stop sending workers to the three Middle East countries.
"At least 1,750 migrant workers employed in the Middle East will be repatriated and for this purpose the government will send aircraft to the Middle East starting on November 9," he said.
Iskander admitted that Indonesia's working relations with Middle Eastern countries in manpower matters were "not so good", adding: "Improvements will in the first place have to make in the recruitment and training systems, provision of health services, transportation to airports and eventually in the workers' protection in destination countries to prevent the recurrence of abuses."
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We are not living in stone age
Posted by ABUSIDRA, DUBAI, U.A.E. on Tuesday 10 November 2009 at 12:34 UAE time
Ms. Anie, with respect we are not living in stone age, don't cite examples of few individuals, employers and employees and exaggerate to make it the most miserable scene. This modern day slavery is self imposed and if people back homes are happy to get monthly remittances and forget about their earner's plights, then how much can we do?
Posted by ABUSIDRA, DUBAI, U.A.E. on Tuesday 10 November 2009 at 12:34 UAE time
Ms. Anie, with respect we are not living in stone age, don't cite examples of few individuals, employers and employees and exaggerate to make it the most miserable scene. This modern day slavery is self imposed and if people back homes are happy to get monthly remittances and forget about their earner's plights, then how much can we do?
Make their own decisions??
Posted by Anie on Tuesday 10 November 2009 at 11:40 UAE time
Well ABUSIDRA, I must say I am almost SHOCKED by your comments.
1. ...they are free to complain?
To whom exactly?
Even if they are not content with their sponsors, whome can they complain to considering it is public knowledge most Asian maids work 12-15 hours a day with no means of communication with the outside world, and often have to devise ways to literally run for their lives and seek refuge in their respective country's consulate.
2. Mature enough to make their own decisions?? Maturity has nothing to do with it, abuse is abuse. Besides, they CANNOT make their own decisions if their passports are confiscated and they have no rights or means of informing anyone (including their own families) of their plight.
3. ..Exit the Gulf countries?? Again, how can they exit when they have no documentation on them, they have no possessions except the clothes on their backs and are being held in their employer's house and not allowed to leave out of sight?
4. ...this is not slavery... Hmmm, these articles and practices actually indicate nothing BUT modern day slavery. Let alone the housemaids and labourers, it is a well known fact that a large majority of 'free' white collar workers still have their passports illegally detained by their employers!
So if that is not slavery, then what is??
In conclusion, I totally and 100% disagree with your comments.
Posted by Anie on Tuesday 10 November 2009 at 11:40 UAE time
Well ABUSIDRA, I must say I am almost SHOCKED by your comments.
1. ...they are free to complain?
To whom exactly?
Even if they are not content with their sponsors, whome can they complain to considering it is public knowledge most Asian maids work 12-15 hours a day with no means of communication with the outside world, and often have to devise ways to literally run for their lives and seek refuge in their respective country's consulate.
2. Mature enough to make their own decisions?? Maturity has nothing to do with it, abuse is abuse. Besides, they CANNOT make their own decisions if their passports are confiscated and they have no rights or means of informing anyone (including their own families) of their plight.
3. ..Exit the Gulf countries?? Again, how can they exit when they have no documentation on them, they have no possessions except the clothes on their backs and are being held in their employer's house and not allowed to leave out of sight?
4. ...this is not slavery... Hmmm, these articles and practices actually indicate nothing BUT modern day slavery. Let alone the housemaids and labourers, it is a well known fact that a large majority of 'free' white collar workers still have their passports illegally detained by their employers!
So if that is not slavery, then what is??
In conclusion, I totally and 100% disagree with your comments.
Mature enough to take own decisions
Posted by ABUSIDRA, DUBAI, U.A.E. on Monday 9 November 2009 at 10:52 UAE time
Let the existing workers, decide and take their own decisions, why the govt. is imposing their decree on all of them? All fingers are not same. Some workers are really contended with their sponsors, who take care of them very humanely and treat like family members. If maids & workers who support their family back home, have problem her, they are free to complain, mature enough to take decisions and exit the gulf countries. After all its not slavery and means of communications are vast and fast.
By the way, has the Indonesian govt. is doing anything besides lip service to rehabilitate the returning employees?
Posted by ABUSIDRA, DUBAI, U.A.E. on Monday 9 November 2009 at 10:52 UAE time
Let the existing workers, decide and take their own decisions, why the govt. is imposing their decree on all of them? All fingers are not same. Some workers are really contended with their sponsors, who take care of them very humanely and treat like family members. If maids & workers who support their family back home, have problem her, they are free to complain, mature enough to take decisions and exit the gulf countries. After all its not slavery and means of communications are vast and fast.
By the way, has the Indonesian govt. is doing anything besides lip service to rehabilitate the returning employees?
I am 4 human rights..
Posted by Abdulatif, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday 7 November 2009 at 12:08 UAE time
I think there are millions of Indonesian workers in Saudi Arabia alone..The article seems to be about construction workers cause 1,750 is such a tiny number and I think the owners, I am mean the true owners of the few huge companies are to blame and should be held responsible especially that they are being paid huge amount of money..
Posted by Abdulatif, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday 7 November 2009 at 12:08 UAE time
I think there are millions of Indonesian workers in Saudi Arabia alone..The article seems to be about construction workers cause 1,750 is such a tiny number and I think the owners, I am mean the true owners of the few huge companies are to blame and should be held responsible especially that they are being paid huge amount of money..
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