The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on both Indonesian and Saudi Arabian governments to work closely together to provide better protection for Indonesian migrant workers employed in the Middle East country.

In a letter dated Jan. 11, the rights group said recent abuse against Indonesian national Keni binti Carda during her employment as a domestic worker for Khalid and Wafa al-Khuraifi in Medina, Saudi Arabia, was evidence of migrant workers' lack of rights, although many others enjoyed satisfactory working conditions in the kingdom.

HRW urged the Saudi and Indonesian authorities to coordinate in investigating the case and prosecute the offenders under international standards. They also called for financial compensation and appropriate support services for the victim.

There have been repeated calls for the Saudi government to fulfill promises and reform or abolish the kafala system, which allows employers to summarily repatriate migrant workers.

Under the kafala (sponsorship) system, which ties migrant workers' employment visas to their employers, an employer assumes responsibility for the hired worker and must grant explicit permission before they can change employers or leave the country.

"The kafala system grants the employer immense control over the worker," the letter said.

HRW has documented numerous cases where workers were unable to escape abusive conditions or return home upon completing their contracts because their employer denied them permission to leave the country.

Keni, a native of Brebes in Central Java, is currently undergoing treatment at Dr. Sukanto Police Hospital in East Jakarta for her extensive injuries. She has impaired vision in one eye, and her flesh is fused together in some places where al-Khuraifi allegedly burned her.

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