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Five women home after being Malaysian labor nightmare
Five Balinese women, who became victims of human trafficking in Malaysia, returned to their families on Monday
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Five Balinese women, who became victims of human trafficking in Malaysia, returned to their families on Monday.
The five women are Ni Luh Sayu Hari Sudewi, Ni Komang Purnama Sari, Ni Luh Putu Ayu Risma Dewi, Ni Luh Putu Era Yudi Asri - all 23 years old - and 25-year-old Ni Nyoman Indra Martini.
They arrived at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport, escorted by the manpower attache from the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Agus Triyanto.
They were picked up by officers from the Denpasar's Manpower Protection and Placement Bureau, the provincial manpower agency and those from the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Agency.
The five, all graduates of the Pyramid Cruise Ship & Hotel Training Center Mengwitani in Badung, were apparently lured to Malaysia by a domestic labor-hire agency.
They left for Malaysia last April, on the assumption that they would be employed by a five-star hotel there.
Instead, they were made to work in an electronic appliances factory and were subject to atrocious working conditions.
The women were made to sleep in a warehouse and were not paid for two months.
The case was revealed following a report from the Indonesian Manpower Ministry to the country's embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
"We will leave this matter for the Bali Police to further investigate," Agus said.
He noted some violations in the procedures when the five women embarked to Malaysia, saying their placement of work was not in line with the previous agreement, and that it was in violation of the 2004 Protection and Placement of Worker Overseas Law.
The five women were welcomed by their families on arrival at the manpower office.
"We're so happy and relieved that my daughter is finally back," said Made Astawa, father of Putu Era Yudiasari.
Astawa said her daughter often called the family complaining about the working conditions.
"She said she was paid 900 ringgit per month, excluding a 250-ringgit fee to the labor agent," he said.
"And if she fell sick for two days she'd be fined 200 ringgit."
Ayu, mother of Risma Dewi said she was worried because her daughter frequently phoned her complaining about being treated badly.
"She said she and her friends slept in a warehouse and were not paid for two months," Ayu said, adding that she had spent Rp 20 million on securing her daughter's employment in Malaysia.
They were made to pay for meals and transports, despite their contract stating that was the responsibility of their employer.
Head of the Women's Empowerment Agency Luh Putu Haryani expected the police to treat the case seriously.
"The police should handle this case thoroughly, so it will not happen again. This case should be a lesson for those wanting to work overseas," Haryani said.
