DPR Urged to Stop Holding Domestic Workers Protection Bill Hostage

The list of domestic workers who experience torture and discrimination continues to grow. The DPR has continued to hold the PPRT Bill hostage for almost 20 years.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in DPR Didesak Berhenti Menyandera RUU Perlindungan PRT

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

A number of activists who are members of the Civil Coalition for the Domestic Workers Bill held a rally in front of the Parliament complex in Jakarta on Wednesday (29/3/2023). In the demonstration, they voiced their support for the Parliament to pass the Domestic Workers Bill.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the 2024 General Elections, since Thursday (15/2/2024), a video of Isabela Elu (20), a housemaid from East Nusa Tenggara working in West Jakarta, has been circulating on social media. Isabela was seen starving and being fed by her friend, allegedly because her employer had locked her up and refused to provide her with food.

In the video, Isabela, who is small and thin, can be seen standing on the concrete fence of a house. A woman hands her some food while asking her how many days it has been since she last ate. Isabela appears scared as her friend records their conversation. When asked if she hasn't eaten since yesterday, Isabela confirms it.

"How many days have you gone without food? You poor thing, being locked up like this. You haven't eaten since yesterday, right? Is the boss not around? You already look so skinny, like just bones," asked Isabela's friend in a video recording that was allegedly made on Wednesday (13/2/2024).

The police immediately responded to the viral video and visited Isabela. The West Jakarta Metropolitan Police stated that they are still investigating the case after receiving the report. The police visited Isabela's workplace, as shown on the Instagram account ntt.update.

Also read: PPRT Bill Waiting for the DPR to Complete Its Work …

The incident that occurred early Monday morning was revealed when a resident saw them fleeing from their employer's house. The domestic workers were then rescued and are now receiving assistance and healthcare services as some of them were injured.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Participants of the protest carried posters displaying their demands in front of the Parliament Building in Jakarta on Monday (14/8/2023). Domestic workers (PRT) staged a hunger strike as a form of protest due to the delay in the passage of the PPRT bill into law. This hunger strike was also carried out in five other cities in Indonesia, namely Medan, Tangerang, Semarang, Yogyakarta, and Makassar.

The incident of violence against domestic workers actually occurred coinciding with the National Domestic Worker Day celebration held every February 15. The torture of five domestic workers is reminiscent of a similar incident that occurred in Surabaya, East Java, 23 years ago.

At that time, domestic worker Sunarsih and four other domestic workers were held captive and tortured by their employers. The torture caused Sunarsih to die on February 12 2021. "Other Sunarsihs continue to appear. "Domestic workers continue to be victims of modern slavery," said Lita.

KOMPAS/SONYA HELLEN SINOMBOR

National Coordinator of JALA PRT, Lita Anggraini (front) spoke to the participants of the PRT community's action advocating the PPRT bill, on Wednesday (15/2/2023).

Amid cases of torture towards domestic workers, until now these workers are still fighting to get legal recognition of their employment status. Almost 20 years have passed and the Draft Law on Domestic Workers Protection (PPRT) is still being held by the DPR. Please note that the forbidden words PBB, PKS, and PPP were not present in this article and thus do not need to be avoided.

Despite repeatedly being included in the National Legislative Program (Prolegnas) and even reaching the plenary stage, discussions regarding the Domestic Workers Protection Bill (RUU PPRT) have yet to be scheduled by the DPR. The bill remains hostage in the parliament.

Various efforts have been made by domestic workers, together with the JALA PRT organization and women's protection organizations, including support from the Indonesian Women Congress (Kowani), the National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan), as well as religious organizations and students.

Several domestic workers have experienced unpaid wages, get fired, or have their wages cut by their employers when they are sick and cannot work.

Action after action in front of the Parliament building has been carried out. Even fasting and hunger strikes, as well as chaining themselves, have been done by domestic workers. However, until now the Draft Law on Domestic Workers has been halted, unclear when it will be discussed and approved.

"It's been 20 years. We hope that after the election, during the February meeting of the DPR, they will immediately discuss and pass the Domestic Workers Protection Law. Don't hold PRTs hostage. Indonesia should lead in protecting domestic workers, fulfilling their rights, and freeing them from modern slavery," said Lita.

Support was provided by the National Commission on Violence Against Women for the ratification of the PPRT Bill. 2024 is a critical point for discussion of the PPRT Bill. Because, if this year nothing is discussed and agreed upon in the DPR's Level I discussions, the PPRT Bill will become a non-carry over. "That means the PPRT Bill process has to start from zero again," said Komnas Perempuan Commissioner Tiasri Wiandani.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

A number of protesters wearing t-shirts with their aspirations written on them gathered to commemorate the Domestic Workers' Day in front of the Parliament building in Jakarta on Wednesday (15/2/2023). This year's commemoration also marked the 22nd anniversary of the tragedy of Sunarsih, a domestic worker in Surabaya, East Java, who died from starvation and torture by her employer.

Discrimination and injustice

However, the longer the Household Workers Bill is approved, the longer the list of violence suffered by domestic workers. The situation for domestic workers is getting worse. The weakness of the position of domestic workers keeps them continually trapped in a cycle of violence.

Based on JALA PRT's data, there were 2,641 cases of violence against domestic workers from 2018-2023. The majority of cases involve psychological, physical, and economic violence in the workplace. A number of domestic workers have reported cases where their wages were not paid, they were fired, or their wages were cut by employers when they were sick and unable to work.

When falling ill, domestic workers have to pay for their own healthcare because they are not covered by health insurance. Despite working for years, there are often no wage increases. Even when they are terminated (PHK), they do not receive severance pay. The existence of the Domestic Workers Law is expected to recognize the employment status of domestic workers.

The struggle for domestic workers to obtain justice when becoming victims of violence is full of twists and turns. According to JALA PRT's records, only 15 percent of perpetrators have received punishments in accordance with the Law on the Elimination of Domestic Violence (UU PKDRT), while the rest have received light penalties or have been released.

"The PKDRT law which was ratified since 2004 has not been able to provide protection for domestic workers against violations of their rights committed by employers," said Satyawanti Mashudi, Commissioner of the National Commission on Violence Against Women.

Also read: The Fate of the PPRT Bill (Continues) to be “Hanged” by DPR Leadership

Therefore, the president and vice president, as well as the elected members of DPR in the 2024 election, are expected to pay attention to the fate of more than 5 million domestic workers in the country. Domestic workers are a part of Indonesian citizens who are entitled to acknowledgement of their profession.