Pada tanggal 29 Mei 2012, berlangsung acara "Sosialisasi SATGAS Penanganan Kasus WNI/TKI yang terancam Hukuman Mati (SATGAS TKI) tentang Penyempurnaan Proses Penyediaan dan Penempatan Tenaga Kerja Indonesia" yang diselenggarakan oleh SATGAS TKI di Hotel Borobudur. Sosialisasi ini menghadirkan para narasumber yang menyampaikan paparannya. Juru bicara SATGAS TKI, Humprey Djemat menyampaikan prestasi selama ini bahwa Dari 312 kasus ancaman hukuman mati terhadap WNI 72 kasus berhasil dibatalkan eksekusinya. Humprey Djemat juga menyampaika bahwa menjadi anggota SATGAS TKI salah satunya harus punya empati terhadap persoalan pekerja migran. Narasumber lain, Nasarudin Umar, menyampaikan bahwa perlu pendekatan khusus dalam penanganan kasus hukuman mati bagi pekerja migran termasuk pendekatan gender untuk mengatasi ketimpangan relasi gender yang dialami oleh pekerja migran perempuan. Sebagai contoh, kekerasan seksual dapat terjadi kepada perempuan karena adanya relasi kuasa (power relation) yang timpang bukan karena pakaian yang dikenakan pekerja migran.
Namun sayang sekali, paparan-paparan narasumber tersebut dicederai oleh pernyataan penutup (Closing Statement) dari Ketua SATGAS TKI, Maftuh Basyuni, yang menyinggung dan melukai perjuangan penegakan hak-hak pekerja migran yang menjadi perhatian kami. Ketua SATGAS TKI pada saat itu menyampaikan bahwa kekerasan yang dialami pekerja migran banyak terjadi karena bersumber dari sikap dan perilaku pekerja migran itu sendiri, khususnya pekerja migran perempuan, antara lain bersikap genit, nakal, dan melakukan pergaulan bebas selama di luar negeri. Pernyataan Ketua SATGAS TKI juga menstigma Pekerja migran perempuan dengan menyatakan bahwa Pekerja Migran Perempuan yang pulang ke Indonesia dengan membawa anak yang berwajah lebih mirip dengan orang Pakistan dan Bangladesh merupakan adalah akibat pergaulan bebas.
Kami prihatin dan kecewa dengan pernyataan tersebut karena selain bertentangan dengan paparan narasumber sebelumnya juga kontraproduktif dengan semangat pembelaan terhadap hak-hak pekerja migran di Luar Negeri (mayoritas adalah perempuan) yang justru menjadi salah satu mandat SATGAS TKI. Pernyataan tersebut menegaskan ketidakpahaman pada pendekatan HAM, keadilan gender, dan perspektif korban dalam penangan kasus-kasus pekeja migran. Padahal pada 12 April 2012 Indonesia baru meratifikasi konvensi migran 1990 tentang Perlindungan Hak-Hak Seluruh Pekerja Migran dan Anggota Keluarganya.
Dengan perspektif Ketua SATGAS TKI yang demikian, kami meragukan bahwa SATGAS TKI dapat berkontribusi dalam perbaikan sistem perlindungan hak-hak pekerja migran Indonesia, revisi UU 39/2004 tentang Penempatan dan Perlindungan TKI di Luar Negeri (PPTKILN) dan RUU Perlindungan Pekerja Rumah Tangga.
Kami Menyatakan:
1. Ketua SATGAS TKI untuk meminta maaf secara terbuka terutama kepada buruh migran, khususnya yang saat ini mengalami ancaman hukuman mati dan keluarganya.
2. Meningkatkan kinerja SATGAS TKI dengan penekanan pada pendekatan HAM dan keadilaan gender serta mengutamakan perspektif korban dan menghindari sikap, cara pandang dan tindakan yang cenderung menyalahkan korban .
Jakarta, 29 Mei 2012
Peserta Sosialisasi tentang Penyempurnaan Proses Penyediaan dan Penempatan TKI di Luar Negeri serta Perlindungan WNI di Luar Negeri:
1. Acah, orang tua Karsih (Pekerja Migran Perempuan yang Terancam Hukuman Mati)
2. Ari Sunarijati (F-SPSI Reformasi)
3. Benhard Nababan (PB SBM GASBIINDO)
4. Bobi (SBMI Karawang)
5. Cakra (SBMI Karawang)
6. Herman (SBMI Karawang)
7. Jejen Nurjanah (DPN SBMI)
8. Lily Pujiati (Peduli Buruh Migran)
9. Nasihin (SBMI Karawang)
10. Roy (SBMI Bekasi)
11. Siti Zubaidah (SBMI Karawang)
12. Thaufiek Zulbahary (Solidaritas Perempuan)
13. Yohanna T Wardhani (KAPAL Perempuan)
14. Yuni (IWORK)
15. JALA PRT
Kontak Person: Ari S. (0812813110); Thaufiek Zulbahary (08121934205); Yohanna (081382887689)
Dengan Rahmat Tuhan Yang Maha Esa, kami Serikat dan Komunitas Buruh Migran Indonesia (BMI) yang hadir dalam Konsultasi Nasional Gerakan Buruh Migran Indonesia Tahun 2011 menyadari bahwa permasalahan BMI akibat dari absennya negara ditengah potret buram BMI.
Kami, komponen bangsa yang memiliki mandat, otoritas dan kepedulian atas perjuangan BMI menyatakan bahwa pemenuhan hak-hak BMI beserta keluarganya adalah hal pokok dan keharusan yang wajib dipenuhi dan dilindungi oleh negara.
Maraknya permasalahan jeratan hutang, perbudakan modern, pemalsuan dokumen, kekerasan, diskriminasi dan lain-lain dampak dari kebijakan penempatan dan perlindungan BMI yang berorientasi pada kepentingan mengeruk keuntungan sebesar-besarnya atas nama devisa negara.
Dengan niat tulus ikhlas, kesadaran dan kepedulian terhadap sesama, kami bersepakat untuk bekerjasama memperbaiki tata kelola BMI, meningkatkan kesadaran massa dan mendorong kinerja pemerintah dalam perlindungan BMI serta pemenuhan hak asasinya sebagai manusia.
Dalam Pertemuan Serikat dan Komunitas Buruh Migran Indonesia yang berlangsung selama tiga hari dari tanggal 19 - 21 Desember 2011 di Ciputat, kami secara bersama-sama menyatakan resolusi sebagai berikut:
Membangun komunikasi antar organisasi BMI berbasis komunitas
Meningkatkan kesadaran bersama dengan metode bangkitkan, organisasikan, gerakkan dan ciptakan pemecahan masalah kongkrit
Terus melakukan pembelajaran terkait hak normatif BMI yang difasilitasi secara bersama oleh seluruh organisasi
Menjadikan isu “Manusiakan Buruh Migran Indonesia” sebagai isu bersama
Membangun Sekretariat Bersama Gerakan Buruh Migran Indonesia minimal ditingkat kabupaten/kota
Menggalang aksi bersama pada momentum May Day dan Migrant Day
Mendesak Pemerintah Republik Indonesia segera meratifikasi Konvensi PBB 1990 tentang Perlindungan Seluruh Buruh Migran dan Anggota Keluarganya, Konvensi ILO yang berkaitan dengan buruh migran, mensahkan Undang-Undang Perlindungan Sejati bagi Buruh Migran Indonesia dan Undang-Undang Perlindungan Pekerja Rumah Tangga.
Resolusi ini akan dikoordinasikan dan di-implementasikan oleh masing-masing organisasi bersinergi dengan BMI dan anggota keluarganya disetiap komunitas, baik didalam maupun diluar negeri, dengan harapan adanya pengakuan dan jaminan atas hak-hak BMI beserta anggota keluarganya.
Demikian resolusi ini kami sampaikan dan selanjutnya disebut dengan Resolusi Ciputat sebagai bentuk kesadaran bersama untuk membangun gerakan buruh migran Indonesia yang bermartabat dan berdaulat.
Hidup Buruh Migran Indonesia!
Jakarta, 21 Desember 2011
Serikat dan Komunitas Buruh Migran Indonesia
* Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia (SBMI)
* Asosiasi Tenaga Kerja Indonesia (ATKI)
* Serikat Buruh Migran Gabungan Serikat Buruh Islam Indonesia (SBM GASBIINDO)
Jakarta - Komisi IX DPR meminta dilakukan mediasi antara Kementrian Tenaga Kerja dan Transmigrasi (Kemenakertrans) RI, BPNP2TKI, Kementrian Luar Negeri (Kemenlu) RI dengan PT Surya Mitra Bahari beserta anak buah kapal (ABK) nya. Mediasi dilakukan untuk menyelesaikan tuntutan pembayaran gaji selama 12 bulan bekerja sewaktu kapal dibajak perompak Somalia. Batas waktu mediasi sampai tanggal 7 juli 2011.
Demikian kesimpulan Rapat Dengar Pendapat (RDP) dan Rapat Dengar Pendapat Umum (RDPU) Komisi IX DPR RI dengan Kepala BNP2TKI, Konsuler Kemenlu RI dan Dirut PT Surya Mitra Bahari serta ABK yang berlangsung di Ruang Sidang komisi IX Gedung DPR, Jakarta, Kamis (30/6).
Selain itu, Komisi IX DPR juga mendesak Kemenlu dan Kemenakertrans untuk mengontrol keberadaan perusahaan/agen penyalur ABK termasuk kelengkapan dokumen ijin perusahaan, agar tidak terjadi penyalahgunaan wewenang ijin kerja, seperti yang terjadi pada pihak agency Jia Feng YI Co, Ltd Taiwan dengan PT Suya Mitra Bahari.
Kemenlu dan Kemenakertrans juga diminta melakukan pengawasan secara aktif dan memberikan perlindungan yanhg maksinal terhadap TKI khususnya ABK di luar negeri yang mengalami masalah ketenagakerjaan. Tujuannya agar terjaminnya dan terpenuhinya keselamatan hak-hak ketenagakerjaan dan hak para ABK.
Nasib Pilu ABK
Nasib buruk dialami sepuluh ABK Indonesia korban perompak Somalia. Setelah lolos dari para pembajak berkat bantuan kapal perang Amerika, mereka tidak diberi gaji selama setahun bekerja di sebuah perusahaan berbendera China. Kesepuluh ABK itu antara lain adalah: Edi Supriyanto (28), Yasno (30), Octiansah (34), Saparudin (23), Amier Hidayat (37), Slamet Riyadi (29), Japar (27), Agretas Bertolomeos (37), dan Ahmad Yani (31).
Sejauh ini PT Surya Mitra Bahari selaku perusahaan yang merekrut mereka hanya bisa membayar enam bulan upah sebesar Rp 12 juta, itupun dipotong utang sehingga mereka hanya menerima Rp 4 juta. Sisanya dijanjikan akan dibayar PT SBM kalau kapten kapal yang masih disandera sudah dibebaskan perompak, namun belakangan dikabarkan sudah dibunuh. Mereka juga tidak mendapat asuransi sebagai mana yang diatur dalam surat perjanjian kerjasama ABK sebelumnya karena pihak asuransi menolak klaim itu.
Awalnya sembilan ABK ini direktrut oleh PT Surya Mitra Bahari melalui agency Jia Feng Yi Co LTD dipekerjakan sebagai ABK Taiwan berbendera China Jin Chun Tsai 68 (JCT). Pada 28 Maret tahun lalu, kapal itu dibajak oleh gerombolan perompak Somalia. Hampir setahun mereka hidup dibawah tekanan, serta menjadi tameng bagi aksi pembajakan mereka. Selama dalam masa sandera tersebut, para ABK mengaku sangat depresi karena dibawah ancaman pistol, dikurung dalam kamar ukuran kecil, dan makan sehari sekali.
Oktiansyah, salah satu ABK mengatakan bahwa usahanya menghubungi KBRI di Taiwan, merasa tidak dindahkan. Itu yang paling membuatnya kecewa, terutama saat diberi kesempatan perompak Somalia menelpon di KJRI di Nairobi, justru pihak KJRI menyarankan seolah teman bisnis saja.Akhirnya ABK selamat karena pertolongan dari Angkatan Laut USA (NVY). Setelah lolos, mereka diserahkan ke KBRI Muscat Oman.
Sekembali ke Indonesia, para ABK yang didampingi Pusat Bantuan Hukum Tenaga Kerja Indonesia (PBHTKI) mengadukan masalah tersebut ke Direktorat WNI dan BHI Kemenlu, Kemenhub, BNP2TKI, dan Kemenakertrans. Selain memperjuangkan hak-hak normatif mereka, PBHTKI juga berencana mempidanakan PT Surya Mitra Bahari atas dugaan praktek tindak pidana perdagangan orang (trackfiking). Selain itu, perusahaan itu dipidanakan karena tidak memiliki surat ijin pelaksana penempatan tenaga kerja Indonesia swasta (SIPPTKIS) termasuk dugaan penggelapan gaji ABK.(sus/faj)
While President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was busy boasting to the world of his success in protecting Indonesia’s migrant workers, the brutal execution of an Indonesian maid in Saudi Arabia may prove otherwise.
As Yudhoyono returned to Jakarta after six-day foreign visit, including to Geneva, Switzerland, where he boasted of his success in cooperating with other countries to protect Indonesian migrant workers, the beheading of Ruyati binti Satubi by the Saudi government, the clip of which was posted on Saudi Arabia-based alriyadh.com, has shocked many Indonesians at home.
Human rights activists and experts were quick to call Yudhoyono’s speech shameful and worthless while others said Indonesia’s diplomacy failed because NGOs knew about the execution well before the Foreign Ministry did.
“The beheading of Ruyati shows Yudhoyono’s speech at the ILC [International Labour Conference] meeting was just empty. The fact is the government fails to protect migrant workers,” Migrant Care executive director Anis Hidayah told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
“The beheading is also clearly an embarrassment for Yudhoyono. The question is why did Saudi Arabia execute Ruyati? Were there any efforts by Yudhoyono to persuade the Saudi government to stop the execution?”
Anis cited a time when late former president Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid persuaded the Saudi king to annul the execution of an Indonesian maid in 1999.
The government said Sunday it would lodged a diplomatic protest with the Saudi government as Saudi Arabia did not inform Indonesia or Ruyati’s family about the execution.
“With all due respect to Saudi law, the Indonesian government condemns the fact that the execution did not comply with international practice,” a Foreign Ministry statement read.
The ministry underlined the need for the Saudi government to conduct due legal process.
“In this regard, the Indonesian government notes that in the cases where our migrant workers become victims of a crime in Saudi Arabia, the legal process becomes prolonged,” it said.
The ministry said it would summon the Indonesian ambassador in Riyadh to discuss the issue.
In Geneva, Yudhoyono’s “Forging a new global employment framework for social justice and equality” speech at the ILC highlighted his administration’s intensified cooperation with other countries to ensure the safety and protection of migrant workers.
Yudhoyono received a standing ovation at the 100th ILC meeting for his speech.
“We have developed arrangements with host countries, to ensure that [migrant worker] rights are respected and protected, including their rights to a minimum wage and days off,” Yudhoyono said.
“We are also upgrading their knowledge and skills that will make them a greater asset to their employers and contribute more to the host economies.”
Alriyadh.com quoted the Saudi Ministry of the Interior as saying that Ruyati was executed in the western province of Mecca on Saturday for killing a Saudi woman with a machete.
The ministry claimed Ruyati confessed to her crime and that the death sentence was endorsed by the Cassation Court and Supreme Court in Saudi Arabia.
Indonesian Workers Legal Aid Association (PBHTKI) executive director Benhard Nababan said he was not surprised to learn of the execution given the poor commitment from the Indonesian government to protecting migrant workers.
“Yudhoyono’s speech at the ILC hides the real fact of the insensitivity of his administration, including Indonesian embassy officials abroad, to protect migrant workers,” Benhard told the Post.
Both Migrant Care and the PBHTKI called on Yudhoyono to summon high-ranking officials, including the foreign minister, manpower and transmigration minister and the National Agency for the Placement and Protection of Overseas Labor (BNP2TKI) to address the execution of Ruyati.
University of Indonesia inter-national law professor Hikmahanto Juwana urged the government to be tough on the Saudi government, calling on it to stop sending workers there or to take diplomatic actions, ranging from recalling its ambassador to the kingdom to scaling down its representation there.
“We need to show our displeasure at not being informed about the execution. We need to take such actions so that in the future the Saudi government will not repeat this conduct,” he said.
ID Nugroho, Contributor, Jakarta | Wed, 06/08/2011 7:00 AM
Octiansah and five of his peers were ready to take a rest in the crew room of Jin Chun Tsai, a Taiwanese fishing vessel, after their daylong shift.
Five other crewmen were about to take over for the night, when all of a sudden, a gunshot was heard. Before they knew it, the ship was being hijacked.
What happened on March 28, 2010 remains fresh in the minds of Octiansah and his nine fellow seamen, who were held hostage for 12 months.
“Everything kept ringing in our ears,” recalled Saparudin, one of the 10 former Indonesian hostages.
It all began in 2008, when 10 fishermen from Central Java and East Nusa Tenggara applied for jobs as crew at PT Surya Mitra Bahari in Jakarta. Another, Nurdin from Banten, signed up with PT Wahana Samudera Indonesia. Both companies sent them to Taiwan to work with Jia Feng Yi Co Ltd, Taiwan. The 10 crew were Edi Suprayitno, Yasno, Octiansah, Amier Hidayat, Slamet Riyadi, Saparudin, Japar, Agretas Bartolomeod Sau, Ahmad Yani and Nuruddin.
In mid-September 2009, they set out aboard Jin Chun Tsai (JCT) 68 to Thailand, then on to other destinations. For five months, they worked under Captain Wu Lai Yu, alias Pina. The voyage continued on to Sri Lanka on Feb. 27, 2010, before they sailed to Somali waters to catch sharks.
Difficult times: Three of the Indonesian hostages — who were held captive for 12 months by Somali pirates and who were later freed — recount their ordeal, in Jakarta. JP/ID Nugroho
The tragedy started in the evening of March 28, 2010, when eight Somali pirates took over the ship. The gunshots were fired from AK-47 assault rifles. “We were worried, wondering what was going on as several strangers coming from nowhere emerged,” related Octiansah.
The random shots hit the vessel’s masts several times. Realizing they were under attack, the crew rushed to hide. The pirates held sway with no resistance from the captain and seamen. Nine other robbers climbed aboard the Taiwanese flag carrier. The ship was forced to sail to Somalia for five days and the crew were locked up in their rooms.
The days spent as hostages were anything but pleasant. The ex-fishermen’s boundless ocean was reduced to a 6x3-meter room. They were just allowed to go to the bathroom a few meters away. “We had to knock on the door before going there and when we did, the guard at the door cocked his AK-47, ready to shoot,” said crewman Edy Suprayitno.
Food and drinks were also limited. They were taken from JCT supplies, which only lasted for two months. When the food ran out, the robbers supplied low quality rice with fish from fishermen’s catch and some leftover spices. “The first two to three months were so dreadful. We felt threatened,” noted Octiansah.
But things changed after a while. The Indonesian sailors were allowed more freedom. They could take a walk on the deck. By the end of 2010, the hostages were asked to hijack another vessel.
One night, the ship moved into the open sea with 27 seamen including the 10 Indonesians. After sailing for several hours, the ship stopped and all lights were turned off. Some of them, with AK-47s, mortars and a 7-meter-long ladder, boarded speedboats and headed for a fishing vessel.
“It was like what had happened to our ship. The two speedboats chased the vessel, while the pirates fired shots,” added Octiansah. As soon as they reached the vessel, the ladder was hooked on it and they went up to the deck. When everything was secure, JCT was steered toward the side of the ship under control.
The third act of piracy waged by the Somalis along with Indonesian crewmen, however, didn’t run smoothly. The pirates attempted to control a crude palm oil (CPO) ship from China using the same tactics as when they hijacked the JCT. But this vessel had an automated system capable of closing doors from the inside. The pirates aboard the ship failed to secure control of the automated system, so the captain was able to report the attack to the Royal New Zealand Navy.
A naval helicopter soon arrived to the ship’s rescue. When the Navy asked the 15 pirates to surrender, they used the Indonesia sailors as a living shield. They threatened to kill the Indonesians unless they were freed. Luckily, the navy agreed to their demand and let them go, along with the 10 Indonesians.
Behind bars: Suspected Somali pirates captured by the British Navy in the Gulf of Aden stand in a cell in court in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa. Reuters/Joseph Okanga
The Somali pirates had also successfully hijacked a Greek flag carrier, Irene SL. When the third act of piracy was thwarted, the 12-month hostage drama involving the 10 Indonesians ended. During the last operation in the Arab Sea, one pirate was killed and two others were severely wounded.
“At the time, the Somali pirates asked the US Navy’s USS Halyburton FFG 40 to provide medical treatment in exchange for freeing the 10 Indonesian and three Yemeni hostages. The swap went ahead in March 2011. Octiansah was taken to the Indonesian Embassy in Muscat, Oman. “When we were on the US ship, we heard the news about the hijacking of MV Sinar Kudus,” he said.
Back in Indonesia, the 10 seamen last month visited PT Surya Mitra Bahari and PT Wahana Samudera Indonesia in Jakarta, asking for their 19-month salaries, equivalent to US$ 240 a month, which they never received.
The companies argued they had not yet received confirmation from their partner in Taiwan. “They said all the salaries would be paid when the captain of JCT, now still held hostage, is also freed,” said Octiansah. But there is no certainty over when this will happen.
The crew later sought the assistance of the Indonesian Workers’ Legal Aid Association (PBHTKI) to get the money they were owed. Benhard Nababan, Director of PBHTKI, said the legal position of the 10 sailors was strong enough. “We’ve reported the case to the Indonesian Workers’ Placement and Protection Agency (BNP2TKI) and the Foreign Office for their defense,” he added.
Furthermore, PBHTKI and the 10 seamen reported the matter to the House Commission IX and met with a Commission IX member from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Rieke Dyah Pitaloka. “Our sailors so far have not been regarded as Indonesian workers and never received training, let alone protection, which should be investigated,” she said.
The crew that was freed remain concerned over the fate of another hostage from Indonesia who hasn’t been rescued yet. The seaman from Jakarta works on the Blida ship. When he met with Octiansah and the other crew, he said he would soon be freed. “Hopefully he’s all right now,” said Octiansah.
RMOL. Tim Pembela Buruh Migran Indonesia (TPBMI) turut berduka atas kepergian mantan Sekjen Komnas HAM, Asmara Nababan kemarin siang di China.
Koordinator TPBMI, Benhard Nababan, mengucapkan rasa duka ini melalui pesan pendek kepada Rakyat Merdeka Online, tadi pagi (29/10).
Benhard mengatakan, para aktivis yang berkecimpung dalam pembelaan buruh migran (TKI) sangat kehilangan sosok Asmara. Sebab, kata dia, para aktivis buruh migran sering meminta bantuan kepada Asmara dalam pembelaan HAM TKI.
"Kami mengenal Asmara memiliki jaringan yang luas khususnya dalam penegakan HAM," kata Benhard.
Selain dikenal sebagai pendiri Demos, Asmara juga aktif di beberapa lembaga swadaya masyarakat lainnya. Oleh karena itu, menurut Benhard, sudah sepantasnya para aktivis berterima kasih atas perhatian dan dukungan moril yang selama ini diberikan oleh Asmara.
Menurut Benhard pula, jenazah Asmara Nababan akan disemayamkan terlebih dahulu di rumah pribadinya di kawasan Pancoran pada 31 Oktober mendatang. Lalu, akan dibawa ke gedung Komnas HAM. Kemudian, pada pukul 12 siang, jenazah akan dibawa ke Gereja HKBP kawasan Hang Lekiu. Pada pukul 14.30 sore, jenazah Asmara Nababan akan dimakamkan di TPU Tanah Kusir. [wid]
... Rekan Bumi juga menyarankan agar efektif, pemerintah perlu memahami standar yang ditetapkan perlindungan pekerja migran di negara penempatan. Kalau bagus perlindungannya, pemerintah go ahead fasilitasi penempatan TKI. Sebaliknya, kalau jelek kualitas perlindungannya, pemerintah harus menolak PPTKIS menempatkan TKI ke sana. “Globalisasi ekonomi bisa berdampak positif dan negatif bagi perlindunggan TKI. Tugas pemerintah harus menomorsatukan perlindungan TKI yang akan bekerja di luar negeri,” pungkas Benhard
Jakarta, BNP2TKI (27/10) - Relawan Kemanusiaan Buruh Migran Indonesia (Rekan Bumi) menyikapi secara kritis masuknya Revisi UU No.39/2004 tentang Penempatan dan Perlindungan TKI di Luar Negeri sebagai Program Legislasi Nasional (Prolegnas).
“Revisi UU No.39 harus menghasilkan rumusan pasal-pasal yang kongkrit dan tegas khususnya aspek perlindungan TKI,” ujar Benhard Nababan, SH, Koordinator Advokasi Rekan Bumi, saat ditemui dalam sebuah Seminar TKI di Jakarta, Rabu (27/10).
Menurut Benhard, upaya peningkatan perlindungan TKI ke luar negeri tidak akan terjadi apabila tidak ada perubahan dalam cara pandang berbagai pihak terkait perlindungan TKI. Selama ini kegiatan perlindungan cenderung dipahami sebagai bagian yang terpisah dari kegiatan penempatan TKI.
“Kegiatan perlindungan tereduksi menjadi penanganan kasus-kasus TKI, khususnya yang ada di luar negeri,” ujar Benhard seraya menganggap wajar jika kasus-kasus TKI di luar negeri akan terus berulang bahkan cenderung meningkat.
Apabila sistem perlindungan TKI tidak digeser dari penanganan kasus yang sifatnya kuratif kepada orientasi pencegahan muncul dan meluasnya kasus, kata Benhard, Pemerintah, PPTKIS, dan masyarakat akan terus berhadapan dengan kasus-kasus kekerasan dan kematian TKI di luar negeri.
“Pergeseran orientasi ini mensyaratkan adanya penyelesaian mendasar atas masalah pokok yang dihadapi TKI, yang berakar pada lemahnya sistem hukum yang mengatur perlindungan TKI,” gugah Benhard.
Benhard mengungkapkan, UU No. 39 secara de facto lebih banyak mengatur soal bisnis penempatan TKI daripada perlindungan substansial bagi TKI. Substansi UU No. 39 sarat dengan kepentingan bisnis penempatan dan menomorduakan perkara perlindungan TKI.
Dampaknya, bisnis penempatan TKI banyak membuka peluang bagi praktek perdagangan manusia (trafficking).
Terkait saran terhadap Revisi UU No. 39, Benhard mengatakan bahwa 80 persen persoalan TKI ada di dalam negeri. Jadi, pembenahan sistem perlindungan TKI harus dimulai dari pembenahan manajemen migrasi TKI ke luar negeri.
Pembenahan di dalam negeri, lanjut Benhard, bisa dimulai dari rekruitmen, pembiayaan, pendidikan/pelatihan, penanganan kasus dan bantuan hukum, reintegrasi TKI purna, peran serta masyarakat, pengawasan dan pendataan, dan standar kontrak kerja yang mengakui dan menjamin hak-hak dasar TKI.
Selain itu, Rekan Bumi juga menyarankan agar efektif, pemerintah perlu memahami standar yang ditetapkan perlindungan pekerja migran di negara penempatan. Kalau bagus perlindungannya, pemerintah go ahead fasilitasi penempatan TKI. Sebaliknya, kalau jelek kualitas perlindungannya, pemerintah harus menolak PPTKIS menempatkan TKI ke sana.
“Globalisasi ekonomi bisa berdampak positif dan negatif bagi perlindungan TKI. Tugas pemerintah harus menomorsatukan perlindungan TKI yang akan bekerja di luar negeri,” pungkas Benhard. (Zul).
Jakarta, BNP2TKI (25/6) - Baru 1 (satu) bulan Relawan Kemanusiaan untuk Buruh Migran (Rekanbumi) mendeklarasikan keberadaanya, pekerjaan menangani TKI bermasalah menumpuk sudah. Salah satunya adalah 2 (dua) calon Tenaga Kerja Indonesia (TKI) asal Banyuwangi yang dijanjikan akan berangkat bekerja ke Korea bulan Mei lalu, nyatanya malah tertipu masing-masing Rp 25 juta.
"Kami akan kawal penipuan kedua TKI ini secara tuntas,” tegas Koordinator Advokasi Rekanbumi, Benhard Nababan, ketika menyampaikan 2 kasus penipuan TKI yang tengah ditanganinya kepada Kepala Badan Nasional Penempatan dan Perlindungan Tenaga Kerja Indonesia (BNP2TKI), Moh Jumhur Hidayat, di Jakarta, Jum’at (25/6).
Benhard mengungkapkan, modus penipuan kedua TKI tersebut dilakukan oleh orang-perorangan. Kedua TKI itu, Iswahyudi menetap di Dusun Kedungdandang Desa Tapanrejo Rt 004/04 Kec Muncar, Kabupaten Banyuwangi dan Didik Nurhadi asal Dusun Krajan Desa Kedunggebang Rt. 003/004 Kecamatan Tegaldimo, Banyuwangi. Sebelumnya kedua TKI tersebut gagal mendapatkan nilai yang dibutuhkan untuk bisa lolos tes bahasa Korea dikenal dengan tes KLPT (Korean Proficiency Language Test) beberapa waktu lalu.
Namun melalui Ismiyati dan Dewi, yang menggunakan alamat rumah kontrakan di Cipayung, Jakarta Timur, keduanya dijanjikan akan berangkat ke Korea pada 18 Mei asal masing-masing bersedia membayar Rp 25 juta. Kedua calon TKI itu, Iswahyudi dan Didik, telah membayar lunas permintaan uang yang diajukan Ismiyati dan Dewi setelah dicicil 4 (empat) kali.
Kepada Kepala BNP2TKI, Benhard mengatakan kasus ini sudah dilaporkan ke pihak Kepolisian Cipayung pada 20 Mei 2010 dengan status perkara Penipuan dengan Pemberatan. Hingga kini perkara tersebut masih ditangani Polsek Cipayung meski polisi sudah pernah memanggil suami Ismiyati, dan berjanji pada 31 Mei akan mengembalikan semua uang kedua korbannya setelah mobil miliknya terjual, ternyata uang kedua TKI itu masih belum jelas.
“Kami hanya ingin agar uang TKI sebesar Rp 50 juta itu dikembalikan kepada kedua TKI,” tegas Benhard seraya mengatakan salah satu penipu, Ismiyati, suaminya bertugas aktif di TNI berinisial “J.”
Menangapi masalah tersebut, Kepala BNP2TKI segera memanggil staf keamanan BNP2TKI, Khaerul untuk menindaklanjuti kasus ini. Diakuinya, kasus ini merupakan bukti masih kurangnya sosialiasi pemerintah sehingga banyak calo yang menipu TKI. “Saya ingin Anda (petugas BNP2TKI) mengawal kasus ini sampai tuntas,” ucap Jumhur kepada Khaerul.
Rekanbumi dengan mottonya "tanggap, mengabdi untuk buruh migran Indonesia " ingin menjadi wadah bersama bagi segenap elemen masyarakat yang peduli atas nasib buruh migran. Mereka akan membantu memperjuangkan sekaligus berpartisipasi aktif dalam dinamika buruh migran di Indonesia. (zul).
“Raisem meninggal dunia 12 Juli 2009 lalu, sudah tiga bulan jenazahnya tidak bisa dipulangkan karena permasalahan dokumen dan passpor. Kami hanya menerima isi berita kematian Raisem dari surat yang dikirim oleh Deplu. Dalam isi beritanya Raisem meninggal karena HIV. Tapi ketika berangkat menjadi TKI Raisem tidak terinfeksi HIV,” kata Benhard Taryani, ibu kandung Almarhumah mengaku bahagia bisa bertemu langsung dengan Kepala BNP2TKI. Ia berjanji akan menggunakan uang santunan dari BNP2TKI untuk tahlilan dan biaya anak-anak Raisem. Jenazah Raisem saat ini berada di Rumah Sakit Marhabat Dubai. Raisem bekerja di Dubai sejak tahun 2006, Almarhumah meninggalkan seorang suami dan tiga anak.
Jakarta, BNP2TKI (30/10) Kepala Badan Nasional Penempatan dan Perlindungan Tenaga Kerja Indonesia (BNP2TKI) Moh. Jumhur Hidayat mengaku berduka dan prihatin atas meninggalnya Raisem (36) binti Wardi TKI asal Sukra Indramayu, Jawa Barat, yang bekerja di Dubai, Uni Emirat Arab (UEA).
BNP2TKI memberikan santunan uang kepada keluarga Raisem sebesar Rp 5 juta. BNP2TKI juga akan membiayai proses pemulangan jenazah dari Dubai hingga kampung halaman Raisem.
Menurut Jumhur, persoalan TKI memang tidak mudah diselesaikan, masalah satu selesai muncul lagi persoalan baru. Banyaknya persoalan ini karena adanya mafia TKI yang memperdagangkan orang dengan logo Garuda.
“Saya turut prihatin atas musibah yang menimpa Raisem, BNP2TKI akan segera mengurus dan membatu pemulangan jenazah Raisem dari Dubai. BNP2TKI juga memberikan santunan uang sebesar Rp 5 juta untuk Almarhum dan keluarga Raisem,” ujar Kepala BNP2TKI dihadapan keluarga korban dan Migrant Care, Kamis (29/10).
Pemberian uang santuan dari BNP2TKI itu langsung diterima Taryani, ibu kandung Almarhumah. Sambung Jumhur, BNP2TKI akan bekerja sama dengan KBRI Dubai dan Depatemen Luar Negeri (Deplu) untuk memulangkan jenazah Raisem.
“Ini tidak boleh dibiarkan, jenazah Raisem harus segera dipulangkan ke Indonesia. Masalah biaya pemulangan jenazah itu BNP2TKI tanggung, kita tidak mau menyulitkannya malah ingin mempermudahnya,” katanya.
Menurut Benhard Nababan, perwakilan dari Migrant Care, Raisem bekerja sebagai Penata Laksana Rumah Tangga (PLRT) di Dubai. Almahumah meninggal dunia karena diduga terinveksi virus HIV Aids.
“Raisem meninggal dunia 12 Juli 2009 lalu, sudah tiga bulan jenazahnya tidak bisa dipulangkan karena permasalahan dokumen dan passpor. Kami hanya menerima isi berita kematian Raisem dari surat yang dikirim oleh Deplu. Dalam isi beritanya Raisem meninggal karena HIV. Tapi ketika berangkat menjadi TKI Raisem tidak terinfeksi HIV,” kata Benhard.
Taryani, ibu kandung Almarhumah mengaku bahagia bisa bertemu langsung dengan Kepala BNP2TKI. Ia berjanji akan menggunakan uang santunan dari BNP2TKI untuk tahlilan dan biaya anak-anak Raisem. Jenazah Raisem saat ini berada di Rumah Sakit Marhabat Dubai. Raisem bekerja di Dubai sejak tahun 2006, Almarhumah meninggalkan seorang suami dan tiga anak. (hp)
Panwas LN Tak Kawal Surat Suara, Rawan Dimanipulasi
TAWAU- Pelaksanaan Pemilihan Presiden (Pilpres) di Malaysia Timur (8/7) lalu masih jauh dari harapan. Migrant CARE yang mengawal hak politik Buruh Migran Indonesia (BMI) –biasa disebut TKW- sebagai pemantau pemilihan presiden luar negeri melihat bahwa mekanisme pemilu di luar negeri yang sudah berlangsung, masih tidak efektif dan perlu dikaji ulang hingga menghasilka legislasi yang kuat untuk perlindungan hak politik BMI.
Distribusi surat suara terbesar melalui pos antar di Pilpres (8/7) lalu tidak hanya berjalan tidak hanya lamban. Namun juga tanpa pengawasan.
Koordinator Tim relawan Migrant CARE wilayah Sabah, Benhard Nababan mengutarakan, Panwaslu seharusnya terlibat langsung melakukan pengawasan mulai dari distribusi surat suara bias sampai ke tangan para buruh Indonesia, memastikan hingga surat suara benar-benar sampai dan tidak terjadi pelanggaran terhadap hak politik buruh. Distribusi tanpa pengawalan, lanjutnya, tidak hanya wujud pengabaian negara, namun juga sangat rentan manipulasi. Kemungkinan itu terbuka lebar apabila oknum-oknum berkepentingan dari salah satu pasangan calon berhasil mengakses.
“Jumlah paling besar justru suara yang melalui pos antaran. Ini saja sudah menggelitik kita. Apalagi distribusinya ternyata hanya lewat kantor pusat di kota, tidak langsung ke estate atau ke pabrik tempat warga Indonesia bekerja. Penerima awal surat suara juga manajer yang nota bene orang Malaysia. Dari manajer baru kemudia diturunkan ke mandor untuk disampaikan ke BNI yang bekerja di masing-masing estate. Semua prosedur dilalui tanpa ada pengawasan dari Panwas LN. Kalau Panwas LN tidak terlibat, lantas siapa yang seharusnya terlibat,” ungkapnya.
Apalagi, kata dia, jumlah suara yang diantar melalui pos mencapai 63.804 suara. Jumlah ini sangat signifikan mengingat berdasarkan Daftar Pemilih Tetap (DPT) untuk Sabah-Malaysia mencapai 76.133 orang. Sebanyak 12.329 memilih di 10 tempat pemilihan suara (TPS-LN) yang disediakan. Kinabalu 5 TPS-LN dan 5 TPS-LN di Tawau. Selebihnya memilih lewat pos yang disebar di 275 lokasi yang mayoritas adalah daerah Estate/Perkebunan.
Tim yang disebar di seluruh Kinabalu dan Tawau mengantongi data 2.264 orang pemilih yang menggunakan hak politiknya. Kinabalu 1.480-orang dan Tawau 784 orang. Praktis, angka partisipasi masyarakat migran Indonesia di seluruh TPS-LN Sabah hanya mencapai 18,4%.
Minimnya partisipasi masih saja disebabkan oleh faktor-faktor lama. Karena passport di tangan majikan, tidak diperkenankan keluar hingga tidak tersentuhnya sosialisasi pemilu. Dalam perjalanan kembali melalui Tawau, Tim Migrant CARE juga menemukan ratusan buruh di estate yang tidak mengetahui kapan tanggal dilaksanakan pemilu dan siapa yang dicalonkan.
Dalam investasi langsung di kantong-kantong BMI, Tim Migrant CARE juga menemukan bahwa pekerja kebun tidak bisa mencontreng pada tanggal yang ditentukan karena surat suara dari pos antar belum sampai ke estate atau kilang tempat mereka bekerja. Procedural, surat suara seharusnya sudah sampai H-2. Hingga pukul 09.00 (8/7), hasil cross check di estate Dumpas –sebuah nama perusahaan perkebunan di Tawau- ternyata surat suara belum sampai tujuan. Diperkirakan paling cepat keesokan harinya (9/7) baru diterima mandor.
Temuan baru juga diperoleh dari sumber kompeten di dalam estate dan kilang. Bahwa proses distribusi serupa juga terjadi pada masa Pileg lalu. Bahkan di titik inilah suara rawan digelembungkan. Menurut sumber tersebut, di setiap Pemilu di Luar Negeri satu kepala mencontreng 3 atau lebih suara adalah hal biasa. Kemungkinan hal serupa bisa terulang di Pilpres.
“Kita punya datanya dan saksi-saksi siap memberi keterangan,” jelas Benhard.
Pelanggaran-pelanggaran juga terjadi di Tempat TPS-LN. Tidak ada saksi dari masing-masing calon, pengawasan yang minim, penggelembungan suara juga terjadi di hampir setiap estate, hingga sosialisasi yang tak menyentuh ke akar rumput. Tim relawan Migrant CARE yang memantau Pilpres Luar Negeri 2009 melaporkan, pelanggaran nyaris merata di seluruh Sabah.
Hasil pantauan di beberapa TPS juga tidak kalah mencengangkan. Intervensi baik pemerintah maupun oknum tertentu terhadap hak politik warga masih terlihat mencolok. Beberapa suara yang dicontreng dengan cara membubuhkan tandatangan pada gambar calon pun disyahkan lantaran suara diberikan pada calon tertentu. Tertangkap pula intervensi oknum berkepentingan pada calon tertentu yang dilakukan terang-terangan di bilik TPS. Oknum yang juga dikenali oleh tim Migrant CARE sebagai WNI yang memegang IC Malaysia itu tanpa sungkan-sungkan masuk ke bilik suara bersamaan dengan pemilih. Tim pemantau juga mendapati 2 pemilih wanita yang datang ke TPS-LN menggunakan nama orang tua laki-lakinya. Mereka mencontreng tanpa mendapat teguran dari petugas.
“Kita tahu bahwa hanya cacat saja yang ada dalam ketentuan undang-undang, diperbolehkan menunjuk pendamping di bilik suara,” imbuh Benhard. Benhard juga menyebut, pihaknya sempat mengkonfirmasikan semua pelanggaran-pelanggaran yang ada di lapangan. Baik dengan pihak Konsulat Indonesia, Panwas LN maupun ke KPPLN di Sabah langsung.
Menurut KPPLN, sosialisasi telah dilakukan pada Sabtu-Minggu dan disiarkan pula di TV Malaysia. Petugas juga bertemu langsung pekerja di perkebunan, melakukan presentasi ke publik. Harun, KPPLN Tawau menyebut pihaknya juga bekerjasama dengan pemerintah melalui Majelis Perbandaran Tawau. Namun diakui masih ada saja kendala pendataan seperti tenaga harian lepas, pekerja berpindah-pindah. PPLN juga mengakui bahwa dana tersedia. Jika kemudian hingga 8/7 BMI di perkebunan belum memilih karena PPLN medan yang terlalu luas sedang tenaga panitia terbatas.
Pengiriman lewat pos sebenarnya merupakan alternatif untuk menyiasati kebijakan Malaysia yang tidak mengijinkan mendirikan TPS di estate-estate. TPS yang dibentuk pun berdasar instruksi KPU untuk memperbanyak partisipasi dan menjaga supaya tidak banyak kartu suara yang rusak. Menurut Harun, KPU juga telah menentukan pengecualian untuk pekerja kebun supaya bisa menggunakan hak pilihnya hingga tenggang waktu 10 hari setelah pemilu yang dijadwalkan.
Dari hasil pantauan di Sabah, perolehan suara sementara (menunggu hasil penghitungan suara pos antaran), unggul pasangan SBY-Boediono dengan 991 suara, disusul pasangan JK-Wiranto dengan 613 suara, dan pasangan Mega-Prabowo memperoleh 553 suara. Untuk suara sah mencapai 2.157 suara, yang diakomodir dari Kota Kinabalu dengan suara sah sebanyak 1.383 suara, dan Tawau sebanyak 774 suara sah. Sementara surat suara tidak sah sebanyak 107 suara (Kota Kinabalu: 97 suara, Tawau: 10 suara).
Hingga kemarin (14/7), perhitungan suara untuk pos antara dari masing-masing estate belum juga sampai di Tawau. Sehingga keunggulan SBY-Boediono ini masih bersifat sementara. (*/ash)
JAKARTA (bisnis.com): Nanang Kurnia, 38, tidak menyangka kalau nasibnya akan terlunta-lunta di negeri orang. Niat mau meraup dolar AS untuk menghidupi keluarga dan merajut masa depan, malah badan tergadai.
Laki-laki asal Kertosono, Nganjuk, Jawa Timur, sekitar enam bulan lalu meninggalkan kampung halamannya. Negara tujuannya adalah Suriname, yang masih memakai bahasa Jawa dalam berkomunikasi sehari-hari. Nanang dan tiga orang temannya dari Yogyakarta, ditawari oleh seseorang bekerja di Suriname sebagai mekanik di sebuah pabrik motor.
"Menurut teman yang pernah bekerja di negara itu, gajinya lumayan. Selama lima tahun bekerja di sana, bisa membiayai hidup selamanya di kampung," ujarnya dari Bambu Apus, Jakarta, lewat telepon kepada Bisnis sore tadi.
Dalam waktu tidak lama, cerita Nanang, dia dan teman-temannya sepakat berangkat ke negeri tersebut. Modalnya hanya biaya untuk membuat paspor. Sementara tiket dan lainnya ditanggung oleh perusahaan yang menawarinya bekerja. Perusahaan itu adalah Kaminah Motor, di Distrik Wanica, Lily Gorp, Suriname.
Nanang berangkat ke Suriname dengan visa turis. Sehari setelah sampai di negeri itu, diapun langsung bekerja. Membongkar mesin motor bukan hal baru baginya. Sebab, dia sebelumnya sudah lama bekerja di bengkel motor, dan sudah mengerti tentang mesin kendaraan roda dua itu.
Setelah dua bulan bekerja, kata Nanang, dia belum tahu apa dan bagaimana statusnya. Berapa besaran gaji yang diterimanya, haknya apa saja, termasuk upah lembur, dan perjanjian lainnya secara administratif. Selain itu juga belum diantarkan ke kantor Kedutaan Besar Republik Indonesia (KBRI) Suriname untuk melaporkan bahwa dia bekerja di negeri itu.
"Ketika masalah ini kami bicarakan dengan pimpinan Kaminah Motor, eh kami malah diusir dengan alasan tidak memiliki visa kerja. Gaji selama dua bulan tidak dibayar, dan barang-barang milik pribadi tidak boleh dibawa, malahan disuruh ganti rugi membayar tiket sekitar US$2.500," tuturnya.
Di pabrik itu, katanya, ada 11 orang warga Indonesia yang tengah bekerja. Semuanya diusir. Mereka melapor ke KBRI dan ditampung disana.
"Seminggu setelah tinggal di KBRI, kami difasilitasi bertemu dengan bos. Dan tiga orang teman kembali bekerja di pabrik itu. Namun, delapan orang lainnya termasuk saya, tidak mau. Sebab, isi perjanjian kontraknya tidak jelas, termasuk jam kerja, gaji, dan lainnya. Kebanyakan isinya merugikan pekerja," ujar Nanang lulusan SMA yang sempat kuliah perhotelan di sebuah universitas di Bali.
Walhasil Nanang dan teman-temannya pun terkatung-katung di KBRI. Kasus mereka sempat diberitakan oleh media setempat, mengenai buruh migran yang terkena PHK sepihak. Namun kasusnya tidak selesai-selesai. Dia ingin gajinya dibayarkan dan hak-haknya diberikan oleh perusahaan. Tak terasa empat bulan Nanang ditampung di KBRI.
"Selama itu tidak ada tanda-tanda kasusnya akan selesai. Akhirnya atas bantuan International Organization for Migration (IOM), saya dan teman-teman difasilitasi untuk pulang ke Indonesia," lanjutnya.
Sekarang mereka ditampung di Bambu Apus, milik Dinas Sosial, Departemen Sosial. Sekarang masalahnya, kata Nanang, dia ingin cepat-cepat pulang ke Nganjuk berkumpul dengan isteri dan keluarganya. Namun belum ada tanda-tanda dari pemerintah untuk memulangkannya.
"Sampai sekarang pejabat Depsos tidak ada yang datang. Ya, kami menunggu saja di sini, tidak jelas," ungkapnya.
Pemerintah lamban
Sementara itu, Koordinator Tim Advokasi Migrant Care, Benhard Nababan menilai pemerintah terkesan lamban dalam menangani kasus TKI dari Suriname tersebut.
"Rencananya kami akan bertemu mereka di Bambu Apus, seharusnya kasus seperti ini bisa cepat diselesaikan pemerintah, terutama KBRI, Departemen Tenaga Kerja dan Badan Nasional Penempatan dan Perlindungan Tenaga Kerja Indonesia (BNP2TKI),"
"Ketika para pekerja tersebut masih berada di penampungan KBRI Suriname semestinya dipertemukan dengan pihak-pihak terkait, jadi pembayaran gaji dan hak-hak lainnya bisa diselesaikan dengan segera" ujar Benhard kepada Bisnis
Mereka dipulangkan ke Indonesia sejak seminggu yang lalu tapi belum diperbolehkan pulang ke kampung halaman karena harus menunggu prosedur lainnya,
Migrant Care akan membantu para pekerja tersebut mendapatkan hak-hak yang belum dipenuhi pengusaha tempatnya mereka bekerja. "Mudah-mudahan bisa diselesaikan dengan baik," ujar Benhard.
Sita Widyawati, Kasudit Bantuan Sosial Korban Tindak Kekerasan Depsos menuturkan sebenarnya kasus Nanang cs adalah trafficking karena diserahkan oleh IOM. Departemen Luar Negeri pun mengindentifikasi bahwa mereka adalah korban trafficking.
"Kami dari Depsos hanya dititipi oleh IOM dan Deplu, untuk membantu menghilangkan trauma, dan memulihkan secara psikososial," ujarnya kepada Bisnis. Para korban tersebut, katanya, untuk sementara di tampung di Rumah Perlindungan Trauma Center Bambu Apus, milik Depsos. Masalah kepulangan mereka ke kampung halaman masing-masing, tergantung bagaimana hasil dari penggalian informasi dan pemulihan psiko sosial mereka.
"Kalau tidak ada masalah apa-apa, bisa secepatnya dipulangkan. Kalau masih di Jawa dengan bus Damri, kalau di luar Jawa dengan kapal Pelni," tambah Sita. Dia menuturkan biasanya seseorang berada di rumah penampungan Bambu Apus sekitar satu minggu, kecuali yang menderita sakit berat, harus dirawat dulu.
Namun, kalau semuanya lancar, dalam tiga hari juga bisa pergi. Untuk menganani para korban tersebut, kata Sita, Depsos menyediakan tenaga ahli dari psikolog dan pekerja sosial. “Mereka yang akan membantu para korban, dan melaporkan hasilnya kepada kami. Setelah itu baru diatasi bersama, bagaimana tindakan selanjutnya," ujarnya. (tw)
I have just read and signed the online petition: Petisi Bersama Buruh Migran, Masyarakat Sipil dan Pemerhati Buruh Migran Indonesia "Segera Ratifikasi Konvensi Migran 1990" hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition service, at: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/BMI/
I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you might agree, too. If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider signing yourself.
Jakarta, CyberNews. Buruh Migran Indonesia (BMI) menuntut Pemerintah segera meratifikasi Konvensi Perserikatan Bangsa-Bangsa yang melindungi buruh migran. Pemerintah diminta segera menyusun dan menjalankan mekanisme yang memastikan jaminan perlindungan buruh migran sejak perekrutan hingga kepulangan.
Benhard Nababan, aktivis organisasi advokasi buruh migran, Migrant Care, menilai produk kebijakan pemerintah SBY-JK menyangkut perlindungan dan kesejahteraan buruh migran, tidak pernah melibatkan organisasi buruh migran. Dia menilai Inpres No 3/2006 maupun UU No 39/2004 cacat dan tak punya legitimasi. "Maka jangan heran bila seluruh regulasi tersebut pada kenyataannya jauh dari harapan buruh migran, baik dalam hal perlindungan maupun kesejahteraan," tandas Benhard dalam keterangan pers kepada Suara Merdeka CyberNews, Rabu (26/11).
Menurut dia, seluruh regulasi yang ada, maupun berbagai langkah untuk melakukan amandemen atas UU 39/2004, selama tidak melibatkan organisasi massa BMI hanya akan menguntungkan pemerintah dan PJTKI.
Hal ini semakin menegaskan bahwa SBY-JK adalah rezim yang selalu melestarikan "perbudakan" atas nasib rakyat dan membiarkan tanpa perlindungan dan jaminan atas naiknya kesejahteraan BMI.
Atas dasar hal itu, lanjut Benhard, maka BMI menuntut Pemerintah RI untuk segera meratifikasi Konvensi Internasional yang melindungi buruh migran yakni Konvensi Internasional Perlindungan Hak Seluruh Pekerja Migran dan Anggota Keluarganya (International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families) 1990 dan Beberapa Konvensi ILO terkait seperti Konvensi ILO 143 tentang Pekerja Migran (1975), Konvensi ILO No 97 tentang Migrasi demi Pekerjaan (ILO Convention No 97 Concerning Migration for Migration Employment) yang direvisi tahun 1949 dan Konvensi No 181 tentang Agen Tenaga Kerja Swasta (Convention No 181 Concerning Private Employment Agencies) yang disahkan tahun 1997.
BMI juga menuntut pemerintah untuk segera menyusun dan menjalankan mekanisme yang memastikan jaminan perlindungan BMI sejak perekrutan hingga kepulangan menyangkut: tersosialisasinya seluruh hak-hak normatif bagi calon buruh migran, perlindungan dan penanganan bantuan hukum yang memadai bagi BMI yang mengalami masalah di negeri tujuan, monitoring reguler yang berperan aktif dalam mengatasi seluruh persoalan yang dialami oleh BMI, dan menindak tegas seluruh PJTKI yang melakukan pelanggaran atas hak-hak BMI dan menghukum dengan ganjaran setimpal.
"Kami menuntut kepada pemerintah untuk menghentikan berbagai biaya lebih penempatan; beban ganda dari pemerintahan yang tidak mampu menyediakan lapangan pekerjaan, sekaligus bekerja sebagai buruh migrant yang harus membayar biaya penempatan dengan komponen biaya yang sangat memeras BMI," tegasnya.
Dia mendesak pemerintah untuk mengevaluasi keberadaan Terminal Khusus TKI (Terminal 3 yang sekarang disebut Gedung Pencatatan Kepulangan Tenaga Kerja Indonesia/GPK TKI) melalui Konsultasi Publik dengan Serikat dan NGO Buruh Migran Indonesia. (Imam M Djuki /CN05)
Pengungkapan kasus Elly Anita dan Darniati (PRT Migran Indonesia yang menjadi korban trafficking ke Irak) saat ini telah sampai pada proses di peradilan. Kasus ini akan disidangkan di Pengadilan Negeri Jakarta Timur di Jl Ahmad Yani No 1 Pulo Mas Jakarta Timur.
Terungkapnya kasus tersebut bermula dari pengaduan Elly Anita dan Darniati yang terjebak di Kurdistan Irak pada September 2007. Elly Anita dan Darniati dipulangkan ke Indonesia pada tanggal 7 November 2007. Bareskrim Mabes Polri kemudian melakukan investigasi dan penangkapan terhadap para anggota yang terlibat dalam sindikat perdagangan manusia. Pada hari Jum'at, tanggal 16 November 2007, Mabes Polri melakukan penangkapan terhadap Andi Gunawan alias Fauzi alias Fauzi Nasution alias Aby Maulana yang merupakan bagian dari sindikat trafficking ke Irak, yakni melaklukan proses rekruitmen terhadap Darniati. Gunawan ditangkap di daerah lubang buaya RT 02 RW 003 Cipayung Jakarta Timur, yang kemudian ditahan di Mabes Polri. Setelah ditetapkan sebagai terdakwa, Gunawan kemudian dipindahkan ke tahanan kejaksaan dan saat ini ditahan di LP Cipinang.
Sidang akan digelar pada pukul 13.00 WIB dengan materi pemeriksaan saksi korban, yakni Darniati. Sidang akan diketuai oleh hakim Siswandriyono, S.H., M.H. dengan anggota Hiras Sihombing, S.H., dan Mansyurdin Caniago, S.H.
Terdakwa Gunawan di tuntut dengan pasal 102,103 dan 104 UU No 39 Tahun 2004 tentang PPTKILN. Gunawan dituntut dengan pidana penjara paling singkat 2 tahun penjara dan paling lama 10 tahun dan/atau denda paling sedikit 2 Milyar Rupiah dan paling banyak 15 Milyar Rupiah, atas tuduhan menempatkan warga Negara Indonesia untuk bekerja di luar negeri secara perseorangan; menempatkan TKI tanpa ijin; menempatkan TKI pada tempat yang bertentangan dengan nilai-nilai kemanusiaan.
Diprosesnya kasus ini hingga tingkat peradilan merupakan suatu progress dalam penegakan hukum untuk kasus-kasus buruh migrant Indonesia. Migrant CARE berharap bahwa pengungkapan kasus trafficking ini tidak hanya menyeret calo, tetapi juga bisa menjerat PJTKI yang memberangkatkan Darniati ke Yordania hingga terjebak di Negara konflik Irak.
Sidang besuk akan dihadiri oleh beberapa PRT migrant korban sindikat trafficking di Irak, antara lain Darniati, Elly Anita, Castini, dan Siti Julaihah. Sidang juga akan dihadiri oleh Migrant CARE yang selama ini melakukan pendampingan kepada para korban dari Irak. Anggota DPR RI yang concern pada trafficking direncanakan juga akan hadir, yakni Latifah Iskandar (anggota Komisi VIII dan mantan ketua pansus RUU Trafficking), serta Sonny S. (anggota komisi IX DPR RI).
Jakarta, 9 April 2008
Anis Hidayah Wahyu Susilo
Executive Director Policy Analyst
(081578722874) (08129307964)
Kontak lebih lanjut: Benhard Nababan (081387358359)
AFFILIATED WITH THE FACULTY OF LAW AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES
A training program for peoples of the Asia-Pacific region
PROGRAM BROCHURE
Capacity Building on Human Rights and Migrant Workers in the Asia-Pacific
Region – A Training Program for Advocates
7 th – 11 th April, 2006, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Held in partnership with Migrant Forum Asia (MFA), Malaysian Trade Union
Congress (MTUC), ALIRAN, Pusat KOMAS and Messrs Charles Hector
Participant Biographies
1. Bhim Bahadur Baniya (Male)
Far East Overseas Nepalese Association (FEONA)
HONG KONG
Bhim Bahadur is Vice Chairman of FEONA, and an executive member of the Hong Kong Integrated Nepalese Society (HINS). FEONA is committed to improving the livelihoods of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, including Indian, Nepalese, Pakistani and Bangladeshi minority groups. Through the DTP training, he hopes to gain a better knowledge of migrant workers rights and to learn about the most effective approaches for assisting those whose rights are violated or threatened.
2. Amarjargal
Davjayev (Female)Centre for Human Rights and Development (CHRD)
MONGOLIA
As Program Coordinator of the Human Trafficking Project for the Centre for Human Rights and Development, Amarjargal works to raise awareness of human trafficking, and works to identify and address deficiencies in the legal framework on trafficking. She trains legal groups, such as judges and prosecutors, as well as at risk groups including students. Amarjargal has had experience in media advocacy, having been responsible for a weekly human rights program on the Mongolian National Radio as well as the organisation of a weekly television program on human rights.
With an increasing number of Mongolian migrant workers being targeted for human trafficking, Amarjargal hopes that DTP training will enable her to develop a training manual on migrant worker issues. She hopes to establish partnerships with the destination countries of Mongolian migrants in order to develop safe migrant programs.
3. Karen Gomez Dumpit (Female)
Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP)PHILIPPINES
Karen is Director of the Government Linkages Office for the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines. In this capacity, she oversees the Commission’s monitoring activities – reviewing the compliance of government with international treaty obligations, and making recommendations to improve the government’s adherence to these commitments.
The rights of migrant workers are particularly relevant to Karen’s international diplomacy role, through which she is responsible for appealing to foreign governments for clemency in cases of Filipino migrants sentenced to death abroad. Other migrant workers’ rights initiatives of the Commission include promoting legislation to safeguard migrant workers voting rights in Filipino elections and to preserve dual citizenship.
4. Mohammad Miftah Farid (Male)
Indonesian Migrant Workers Trade Union (SBMI)
INDONESIA
As Chairperson of SBMI, Mohammad is responsible for managing the union’s entire operational framework. He represents the organisation in national advocacy programs for migrant rights, and is active in developing networks with other NGOs at the national and international level. His role includes coordinating the monitoring activities of SBMI regarding migrant deportation from Malaysia and other receiving countries.
Mohammad has been involved in numerous training courses, including Community Organising Training (conducted by KOPBUMI); Paralegal Training (KOPBUMI); Counsellor Training (ICMC); Migrant Human Rights Violation Documentation Training (MFA); and Migrant Human Rights and Advocacy Training (MFA). He hopes that the DTP program will strengthen his union advocacy capacity at the regional and international level, and also provide an opportunity for networking and the sharing of experiences.
5. Aminarsih Fatah (Female)
Darul Arqam, Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2)
SINGAPORE
As a program coordinator for Darul Arqam and office manager for TWC2, Aminarsih Fatah facilitates monthly training programs for domestic workers, liaises with embassies and other relevant groups, and attends to distress calls from domestic workers. She has also planned annual programs for a domestic workers support group and helped coordinate International Migrant’s Day 2005 activities in Singapore.
Aminarsih hopes to gain significant knowledge on migrant workers’ rights while developing a greater understanding of advocacy work. A particular objective of hers is to build an extensive network with other NGOs in the Asia-Pacific region to enable the development of more effective training programs.
6. Lionel Fernando (Male)
Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka
SRI LANKA
Lionel is Chairman of the Disaster Relief Monitoring Unit (DRMU) of the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission. The DRMU is an auxiliary body established two weeks after the tsunami disaster in January 2005 to monitor all tsunami related reconstruction in the country and report on the human rights implications of the reconstruction effort.
From 1999-2001, Lionel was Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, working closely with the Foreign Employment Bureau of Sri Lanka to promote the rights of Sri Lanka migrant workers. His work was specifically concerned with ensuring appropriate remuneration for migrant workers, and protecting their physical integrity through anti-violence campaigns. Lionel has also served as Ambassador in Malaysia (1997-1999) and the Netherlands (2001-2004).
7. Ji-Eun Hwang (Female)
National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK)
KOREA
Ji-Eun is an investigator for Human Rights Rectification Team III for the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. The team is responsible for defending the rights of migrant workers in detention and protective facilities. Many of these cases concern illegal stays, overdue wages and asylum seeking for economic and religious reasons.
Ji-Eun hopes that the DTP training will help her to understand the vulnerable situation of migrant workers, and also enable her to develop the most appropriate policies to combat the problem. She is specifically interested in the functioning of the ICRMW and ILO conventions, and how they can be implemented to better protect foreign workers within Korea.
8. Bridget Lew (Female)
Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME)
SINGAPORE
As President of HOME, Bridget is responsible for overseeing the provision of services to migrant workers suffering from exploitative working and living conditions in Singapore. These services include advocacy, welfare and education. HOME operates two shelters for displaced workers, providing a necessary place of refuge for vulnerable men and women.
In her day to day work, Bridget undertakes a variety of roles from answering helpline calls to communicating with the authorities, media personnel and other NGOs. In addition to advocating the rights of migrant workers, she supervises the operations of both HOME shelters and trains co-workers in case work. Bridget has an honours degree in Arts: Political Science and History, and has completed several training courses on labour laws, business administration and management.
9. Braema Mathiaparanam (Female)
Transient Workers Count Too (TWC 2) SINGAPORE
Braema is President of Transient Workers Count Too and AWARE, both of which are advocacy based groups with a strong emphasis on research activities. Through TWC2, an organisation founded by Braema, she planned a nine-month campaign concentrating on Foreign Domestic Workers matters. The campaign involved work with photographers, artists, schools, embassies, policy makers, academics and agencies. In 2005 she formed a task force to organise an International Migrants Day with the theme of local and foreign communities bonding and respecting one another.
Braema hopes to learn from other participants about what programs and tactics are most successful. She is keen to strengthen her understanding of diplomatic tools, and to develop effective regional and international advocacy networks.
10. Win Maung Moe Swe (Male)
Yaung Chi Oo Workers Association (YCOWA) THAILAND
Wing Maung Moe Swe works as head of Yaung Chi Oo Workers Association (YCOWA) a group that works to improve the working and living conditions of both documented and undocumented Burmese migrant workers in Thailand. The association strives to achieve these goals through organising, educating and facilitating legal defence. As head of the association, Wing Maung regularly works with migrant workers and holds workshops and group discussions with them to educate them about their rights. He works closely with trade unions, human rights organisations, and other interested parties. He has also reported on migrant issues to Burmese media, such as the Democratic Voice of Burma and has been involved with MAP, the Migrant Assistance Program. Wing Maung is also a committee member for ANM (Action Network of Migrants) which is comprised of nine Thai NGOs all working to improve the status of migrant workers in Laos, Cambodia, Burma and Thailand.
11. Parimala Moses (Female)
Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC)
MALAYSIA
Parimala is the Project Officer for the MTUC/ILO Action Programme for Migrant Domestic Workers in Malaysia. In addition to providing training and ground level support for migrant workers, Parimala consults with embassy officials of Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and Indonesia. She is currently involved in the establishment of a Domestic Workers Association, which will focus on lobbying for a fair and standard employment contract, minimum wage and standardised work week.
A particular focus of Parimala’s work is coordinating the efforts of the government and the MTUC to help alleviate the problems faced by migrant workers. She is responsible for interacting with the Ministry of Human Resources and Immigration on a regular basis, so that MTUC concerns and ideas can be incorporated into government policy, and so that MTUC is able to achieve its objectives with government support. Through her work and training programs in the United States and Indonesia, Parimala has developed an extensive knowledge of the role played by trade unions, NGOs and CSOs in resolving migrant worker issues.
12. Sukemi Muhammad (Female)
National Network of Community Development of Indonesian Migrant Workers and
their Families (JARNAS PEKABUMI)
INDONESIA
As Program Officer for YLPMD (a member organisation of JARNAS PEKABUMI), Sukemi assists returnee migrants and their families. She is responsible for planning and facilitating capacity building training programs such as paralegal courses, migrant saving alternative investment training (MSAI), gender training, and pre-departure training for migrant workers. Sukemi is involved in local, national and regional advocacy programs. Working within the Indonesian NGO network, she collaborates with organisations such as KOPBUMI and MFA.
A particular focus of her work is the mobilising and unionising of migrant workers in receiving countries. Through the training she hopes to develop her knowledge of the ICRMW and how it may be utilised to better defend migrant worker rights. Sukemi is also keen to learn from other participants about effective advocacy and lobbying techniques, and to share her own experiences in this area.
13. Benhard Nababan (Male)
Centre for Indonesian Migrant Workers (CIMW) INDONESIA
Benhard Nababan works for the legal staff at the Centre for Indonesian Migrant Workers. His job involves providing legal assistance for migrant workers whose rights have been violated, as well as counselling migrant workers. He also facilitates meetings and discussions for factory workers to increase their knowledge and awareness. He hopes to share his experiences at DTP training, as well as learn from others and form a network for the protection of migrant workers.
14. Anna Liza Navarro (Female)
Centre for Migrant Advocacy (CMA)
PHILIPPINES
Anna Liza Navarro works as a Case and Documentation Officer for the Centre for Migrant Advocacy’s Direct Assistance to Migrants in Distress Program. This involves taking in cases of migrants in distress, monitoring the status of cases, and reviewing the actions of government agencies concerned. She undertakes several additional roles within the centre, including Office Administrator and Bookkeeper.
Anna Liza hopes that DTP training will allow her to develop relationships with other migrant advocates so that they may exchange experiences and learn from each other’s work. She anticipates that the training will help her to discern how best to handle each migrant worker case that she encounters, so that she can effectively serve the interests of foreign workers and their families.
15. Nining Nining (Female)
Migrant CARE
INDONESIA
Nining Nining works as a staff coordinator for the Advocacy division of Migrant CARE. As staff coordinator, she advocates extensively for migrant workers, works to develop a national network on migrant workers issues, and holds regular meetings in the context of empowering this vulnerable group. Along with an Advocacy Team, Nining has developed both short and long term strategies for migrant worker advocacy. In the short term, they aim to resolve issues such as unpaid wages or arbitrary discharge. Their long-term strategies include advocating those laws that would better protect the interests of migrant workers, as discussed by the Indonesian Legislative Assembly. One of their major successes in this respect was the approval of the Protection Law for Migrant Workers by the Indonesian Assembly in 2004.
Currently Nining is supporting the ratification of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Family (ICRMW). Nining believes DTP training will give her an important forum to understand the international human rights framework, and will strengthen her organisation’s network with other migrant workers’ rights groups.
16. Masud Parvez (Male)
Welfare Association of Repatriated Bangladeshi Employees (WARBE)
BANGLADESH
Masud is the Vice Chairman for the Central Executive Committee of WARBE, where he is responsible for assisting repatriated migrant workers and their families at the grass roots level. He organises pre-departure awareness programs for migrant workers, and participates in seminars and workshops on migrant rights issues. He has campaigned extensively against the abusive and exploitative recruitment processes employed in destination countries.
As a founding member of WARBE, Masud has significant experience in the field. He has undergone training on the English Language Potential for Migrant Workers, a program jointly organised by the bureau of Manpower Employment & Training (BMET) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). His future plans in this area include advocating for the implementation of rights based policies for the migrants of Bangladesh.
17. Andy Perez (Male)
Filipino Domestic Helpers General Union-Hong Kong (FDHGU)HONG KONG
Andy Perez works as a Domestic Helper and Sport Coordinator for the Filipino Domestic Helpers General Union. As Sport Coordinator, he trains union members in a variety of sporting activities, with a goal of capacity and team building. He also assists with the union’s advocacy campaigns and mobilization programs regarding the rights of migrant workers.
Andy has completed several training programs, including courses on leadership and team building, trade unionism, Migrant Savings and Alternative Investments, gender and health, and migrants’ rights. By increasing his awareness of migrant worker issues, Andy expects that the DTP training will improve his capacity to interact with and assist union members. Through sharing his training knowledge with the union, he hopes that the rights of Filipino Domestic Helpers will be more effectively advocated.
18. Nurul Qoiriah (Female)
Asian Migrant Centre (AMC)
HONG KONG
As a Program Officer for the AMC, Nurul’s key roles include the organising and unionising of migrant workers, as well as developing and facilitating capacity building training programs for the leaders of migrant organisations. The content of these courses include: migrant human rights and advocacy; health and gender; migrant savings; and reintegration. She equips directors of grass roots organisations from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Indonesia, with the knowledge and skills to assist migrant workers in the region.
Nurul is also involved in other advocacy and lobbying activities undertaken by the AMC. Other courses which she has participated in include the International Human Rights Training Program, conducted by the Canadian Human Rights Foundation (2005), and the Human Rights Education Program, hosted by the Indonesian Human Rights Commission in Jakarta (1998).
19. Kalpana Rijal (Female)
All Nepal Women’s Association (ANWA)
NEPAL
As Central Secretary of the All Nepal Women’s Association, Kalpana Rijal is involved with program planning, lobbying, advocacy and counselling. Migrant workers’ rights have become increasingly important to ANWA with the growing number of Nepalese migrant workers.
Kalpana has a Masters in Sociology and post-graduate degree in Women’s Studies. She has completed training courses on leadership, fund raising, organisational management, and migrant rights at national, regional and international levels. She hopes that training on migrant rights will increase her organisation’s capacity to deal with this issue, and will increase her lobbying and advocacy skills.
20. Roshan Shajehan (Male)
Oxfam – GB
SRI LANKA
Having worked for the National Human Rights Commission from 2003-2005, Roshan is now a project officer for gender and protection with Oxfam - GB, Sri Lanka. In particular, his work involves developing strategies to help achieve gender equality throughout the country. He plays a key role in the Gender Development Network, an association of Sri Lankan NGOs, community based organisations and other grass roots partners aimed at gender mainstreaming.
Roshan’s work on gender and protection has focused around two key areas – violence against women and women migrant workers. He has been involved in several initiatives to help remove the abusive and exploitative conditions experienced by many domestic workers leaving Sri Lanka in search of foreign employment.
21. Byung-Kon Shin (Male)
National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK)
KOREA
Byung-Kon Shin is an investigator for the National Human Rights Commission of Korea’s Racial Discrimination Team. He conducts investigations into cases of racial discrimination, including those based on grounds of national or ethnic origin, or skin colour. His work is therefore concerned with a large number of migrant workers with limited means of protection.
He hopes that DTP training will provide him with a solid understanding of the ICRMW and other relevant international standards, so that he can enhance the work of his newly established department. Specifically, Byung-Kon hopes to encourage the NHRCK to recommend government adoption of the ICRMW.
22. Nalini Singh (Female)
Asia Pacific Forum for Women, Law and Development (APWLD)
THAILAND
Since June 2005, Nalini Singh has served as a Programme Officer for the Labour and Migration Programme with the Asia Pacific Forum for Women, Law and Development. The APWLD is committed to enabling women to use law as an instrument of social change for equality, justice and development, and it has consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
A central feature of the Labour and Migration Programme is its task force, which plans and implements advocacy work and campaign actions. In recent years the program has implemented various activities to address the concerns of female migrant workers. One major undertaking of the programme was a Tripartite Conference, which aimed at bringing together trade unionists, women’s groups and migrant worker advocates in host countries. The task force continuously works in coordination with UN agencies, such as UNCHR and UNSR, to protect the rights of women migrant workers.
23. Pranom (Bee) Somwong (Female)
MAP Foundation / Action Network for Migrants
THAILAND
Pranom is the Act Against Abuse project coordinator for the MAP Foundation of Thailand, where she helps provide migrant workers with access to the legal justice system. Through her work with MAP she has assisted migrant workers suffering from exploitation and abuse. In addition to securing compensation for these workers, she has been involved in improving their living conditions and securing control of their work-permit documentation.
In 2006, MAP and Action Network for Migrants are developing a capacity realisation workshop, and a series of campaigns for CBO and NGO networks. Pranom will be a central coordinator in this program which will focus on the production of a manual to assist migrant workers in Thailand to access their rights. Through her assistance of migrant workers at the grass roots level, and in the promotion of the 2006 program, Pranom is dedicated to raising public awareness of the ICRMW.
24. Subiyanti (Female)
Indonesian Migrant Workers Union (IMWU)
HONG KONG
After joining the IMWU in 2001, Subiyanti spent several years contributing to the ongoing development of the union. She was elected to the Executive Committee in 2005, and now holds the position of Union Secretary. In this role, Subiyanti is responsible for documenting all migrant worker cases reported to the office, working with the education committee to develop and facilitate training programs, and assisting in IMWU’s campaigning and lobbying activities.
In its campaigns, the IMWU has targeted several migrant worker issues in Hong Kong, including excessive employment agency fees, underpayment of workers, and violations of worker contracts. A key objective of the union is lobbying the government on the ratification of the ICRMW, a process in which Subiyanti is directly involved.
25. Mohammed Tipu Sultan (Male)
Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK)
BANGLADESH
For the past twelve years, Mohammed has worked as Co-ordinator for the Investigation Unit of Ain o Salish Kendra, a human rights and legal aid organisation based in Bangladesh. His department investigates cases of human rights violations, routinely visiting police stations, hospitals and courts to identify problem situations. He is responsible for coordinating daily investigative activities, and ensuring that each case is managed correctly. His role also entails follow-up lobbying and campaign activities with NGOs and government officials where necessary.
Mohammed has participated in several training programs around South East Asia. These have included a “Training of Trainers in Human Rights” held by South Asian Forum for Human Rights (SAFHR) in Dhaka, Bangladesh; a workshop on “Human Rights Education” sponsored by the Asian South Public Bureau of Adult Education (ASPBAE) in New Dehli, India; and a workshop on the “Structural Adjustment Programme and its effects on labour movement” organised by ASPBAE and GEFONT in Kathmandu, Nepal.
26. Sylvia (Gigi) Torres (Female)
Alliance of Progressive Labour (APL) / Asian Migrant Centre (AMC)
HONG KONG
Sylvia is currently helping to build social unionism among Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong. She is involved in the operations of three organisations – the Labour Education and Research Network (LEARN), APL, and AMC, all of whom share the common goal of resolving migrant worker issues. Her work involves organising, educating and training workers, including members of the Filipino Domestic Helpers General Union, and mobilising them into advocacy campaigns. These campaigns have included dialogue with the Labour and Immigration Departments of Hong Kong concerning migrant labour and human rights issues.
In addition to her work in Hong Kong, Sylvia has also spent time addressing human rights issues in the Philippines. She has worked as an administrative officer of a foundation for Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao, Philippines, which focused on the education and mobilisation of indigenous peoples in their struggle for rights to land and self determination. Through LEARN, Sylvia has provided assistance to workers in both the formal and informal labour sectors, particularly poor and exploited women in urban areas.
27. Joachim Xavier (Male)
Penang Office for Human Development (POHD)
MALAYSIA
As the Human Development Officer for POHD, Joachim is responsible for the operations of the Catholic Church Ministry with Migrant Workers of the Penang Diocese (State of Penang, Perak and Kedah). This involves both organising the provision of services to migrant workers (legal aid, medical aid, welfare), and the recruitment and training of volunteer workers.
In 2003 Joachim established the Migrant Workers Support Centre (MWSC), a support service that assists migrant workers experiencing a variety of problems. While overseeing the centre’s activities, he also helps to resolve the many labour disputes that arise between migrant workers and their employers or agencies, assisting workers through the Malaysian legal system or labour agencies.
28. Senarath Yapa (Male)
Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE)
SRI LANKA
Senarath is the Accounting Manager for the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. In addition to his financial role with SLBFE, Senarath is involved in the regulation and promotion of the foreign employment industry. He is responsible for training unskilled migrant women in order to reduce their exploitation as domestic workers.
Senarath has represented his organisation at many awareness programmes throughout Sri Lanka. Through these seminars he has educated job aspirants, community leaders and government officials on planned and safe migration, and the benefits of organisational intervention. He has also been involved in reviewing the situation of Sri Lankan migrant workers overseas. So far, he has visited nine Sri Lankan missions abroad, taking particular concern for the welfare of the women sheltered in these missions.
