Domestic Workers still Lack Protection

DOKUMENTASI KEMENTERIAN KETENAGAKERJAAN

Officials from the Ministry of Manpower thwarted the departure of 11 non-procedural Indonesian Migrant Workers Candidates (CPMI) to the Middle East, in East Jakarta on June 18, 2021.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Domestic workers play an important role in supporting Indonesian families, especially in Jakarta and other big cities. However, their importance is still underestimated, leading to unsatisfactory protection, respect and fulfillment of their rights.

Until now, the role and contribution of domestic workers as supporters of the family economy have not been recognized, either by employers or the government as policymaker. The majority of domestic workers have not yet received a living wage and health insurance, and are vulnerable to violence. The deliberation of the Domestic Workers Protection Bill (PPRT), which has been prepared to protect domestic workers, still faces uncertainty.

“Domestic workers actually create space, opportunity and refresh the energy and minds of household members to work as part of the economic chain. It means that domestic work is part of the work chain process of the market economy and the capitalist economy," the national coordinator of the National Network on Domestic Worker Advocacy (Jala PRT), Lita Anggraini said in Jakarta on Sunday (31/10/2021).

With such a condition, the role of domestic workers is important as they not only support modern life, but are also part of the modern economic program itself. Lita emphasized that domestic workers were one of the important pillars that support modern life so that family members of productive age workers can still work in peace outside the house.

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“You can imagine the negative domino effect if there are no domestic workers. Millions of people who work and are active in the public sector will reduce their activities like during Idul Fitri holidays because there are no domestic workers,” said Lita.

According to the 2015 Jakarta International Labor Organization (ILO) survey, there are at least 4.2 million domestic workers in Indonesia, 84 percent of whom are women. With the lack of employment opportunities and the increase in demand from families in which both the husband and wife work, the number of domestic workers is estimated to further increase to 5 million people in 2021.

The actual number of domestic workers in the field could be higher because of the increased number of couples of working age, who are working and thus need other people to do household work, such as washing clothes, ironing, cooking and cleaning the house. Even though domestic workers are very much needed, many people still view domestic workers as assistants, not a profession that is entitled to decent wages and work standards.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Thousands of prospective Indonesian migrant workers from various regions held an action at the Ministry of Manpower, Jakarta, Monday (18/10/2021). They demanded clarity on the status of placement as prospective Indonesian migrant workers (CPMI) in several countries.

An East Jakarta resident, Sari Veronica (28), and her husband who are both working, hire a domestic worker from a domestic worker provider with a monthly salary of Rp 2.7 million. She also provides the annual Idul Fitri holiday allowance and covers the costs if the domestic worker gets sick.

Yekti (57), a civil servant of the Bekasi municipal government, also felt the benefits of having two domestic workers to support her family. “When I first got married and had children, my husband often went out of the city. As a working housewife, there must be someone to take care of the children. This is in a big city, there are no parents or relatives to help,” Yekti said.

Social protection

A survey conducted the Jala PRT in December 2020 of 668 domestic workers indicated that 82 percent of domestic workers could not access the national health insurance program. Many domestic workers have to borrow money to pay for the treatment if they and their family members get sick. This condition puts them deeper into poverty.

The government’s seriousness in protecting domestic workers can be realized by the approval of the PPRT bill. The approval of the bill will show Indonesia’s serious commitment in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), one of the targets of which is to "end poverty in all its forms everywhere", which also includes domestic workers.

Also read:

> Protect Migrant Workers

> PPRT Bill and Social Justice

Pinky Saptandari, a lecturer in Anthropology at Airlangga University, Surabaya said it was now the time for the public and the government to respect and recognize the role of domestic workers by changing the perspective on domestic workers. The protection of domestic workers will also make it easier for the government to protect Indonesian migrant workers abroad.

Separately, the deputy for the protection of women's rights at the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Ministry, Ratna Susianawati, said the PPPA Ministry was very concerned with women's affairs, including the issue of domestic workers who are also part of women's vulnerable groups.

“The most important thing is to provide protection and fulfillment of their rights. Moreover, the majority of domestic workers are women who are a vulnerable group that must be protected,” said Ratna.

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.