Three of Indonesian women migrant workers are in prison at other countries (Bahrain, Abudhabi, Riyadh).They are Yoyoh Bt. Mustopa (32 years old), from Bekasi that stay in Bahrain’s prison, Sunariyah (28 years old), from Karawang that stay in Abudhabi’s prison, and Juleha Bt. Durakhman (29 years old), from Cirebon that stay in Sijin Al Malash Al Nisa, Riyadh’s prison.
Yoyoh Bt. Mustopa (32 years old), women migrant worker from Bekasi, was put into prison by her agent. Yoyoh was departed by PT. Aljaidi Ikhwan on April 12, 2007. Their families got the information from her agent on August 30, 2007. On that day, agent told her family that police has picked her up and put her into jail. The reason for her imprison was because the agent has no longer want to take care Yoyoh whose always trying to commit suicide and demand to be send back home. Another reason was also because her family didn’t send the money US 450 to buy the return ticket for Yoyoh trough her agent.
Sunariyah (28 years old), women migrant worker from Karawang was put into prison after raided by Abudhabi’s policeman when she was trying to refill her mobile phone credit. Her husband knew the situation from Sunariyah’s letter given by one of Indonesian women migrant worker who was in the same prison with Sunariyah. The letter mentioned that Sunariyah was imprisoned since February 16, 2007, moreover, she couldn’t have any communications with her family since the policeman has confiscated her mobile phone. Sunariyah was departed by PT. Nurbakti Langgeng Mandiri on January 14, 2005.
The worse thing happened to Juleha Bt. Durakhman (29 years old), women migrant worker from Cirebon who had been in prison for approximately 1 year and 10 month. She is predicted to be located in Sijin Al Malash Al Nisa Riyadh’s prison and being held in the Azis room which is located underground. She was being accused of possessing black magic and used it to make her employer’s eyes blind. Her family knew the situation from Juleha’s letter given by one of Indonesian women migrant worker who was in the same prison before and returned to Indonesian earlier. Based on the information, the investigation process of Juleha was late because the employer didn’t come to give explanation to the police related with their accusation. Moreover, Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh has not given any legal aid action to settle this case. Juleha was departed by PT. Musafir Kelana on April 25, 2004.
Solidaritas Perempuan who gives legal assistance for these three cases and their families proposed complains to Indonesian Government to do these immediate actions:
1. Giving legal advocacy through the Indonesian Embassy Office in destination country, in order to protect Indonesian Women Migrant Workers who are still in prison. It is important because the Indonesian Government has an obligation to give protection for their citizen in wherever country they are located.
2. To demand BNP2TKI to take some explicit actions for PJTKI who departed them because these PJTKI were not serious to solve those cases.
3. To fulfill all the victim’s rights such as insurance during their time in prison. Because during in the prison, they were not able to earn some money to continued their life and family in their village.
Jakarta, September 27, 2007
Risma Umar
Coordinator Program
National Executive Body of Solidaritas Perempuan
JL. Jati Padang Raya Gg. Wahid No. 64
Pasar Minggu, Jakarta Selatan
Tlp. 021-7826008
Fax. 021-7802529
Email: soliper centrin.net.id
Website: www.solidaritas-perempuan.org
Contact person: Risca Dwi Ambar Sari (081319758797)
Solidaritas Perempuan (SP) for Human Rights are the first Migrant Worker NGO in Indonesia that officially exist in December 1990. Until 1998, Migrant Worker issues being SP’s main program. During 1990’s, SP provides legal aid or other supports for individual case where the worker become a victim of harassment /Human Right violation, provides trainings and conduct any program to Migrant Worker and their community, also provides shelter for Women Migrant Worker who become an abusement victim. SP are collected the Migrant Worker data cases and getting involve in national and international level policy advocacy. SP’s partners are Solidaritas Buruh Migran Karawang (SBMK), Solidaritas Buruh Migran Cianjur (SBMC), Solidaritas Pemberdayaan Keluarga Buruh Migran Salatiga (SPKBM) and Solidaritas Buruh Migran Indonesia (SBMI) – Madura, East Java region.