S

lavery was abolished centuries ago and declared illegal in every country in the modern world. Yet, its practices in the narrowest definition, are still rampant, taking many forms from forced labor, people trafficking, to women and children forced into prostitution.

As a nation that was enslaved for more than three centuries by imperialists and colonialists, Indonesia knows well how it feels to be in the servitude of others. It is degrading and humiliating. It has cast dark shadows on our history.

 For that reason, we quickly condemn any kind of abuse and exploitation inflicted on any workers. Such abuse is morally, ethically, and legally wrong. These sweatshops exploit their workers in various ways, paying them meager wages for long hours of toil in difficult circumstances, even using violence and threats to intimidate. We strongly condemn such wickedness.

Sadly, a vicious evil managed to slither from the shadows, unleashing an imaginable horror. We are struck with disbelief and contempt to learn that such an unspeakable atrocity took place right under our own noses. A wave of indignation is rapidly ravaging our civil society over the shocking revelation of the alleged enslavement of 34 workers from West Java who were detained and forced to work in horrific conditions in Sepatan, Tangerang regency, about 20 kilometers from Jakarta.

The police found them being forced to live in a dirty 10-square meter room without windows or proper sanitation for almost four months. Their cellular phones, clothes and wallets had been confiscated. They had to work at least 18 hours a day with only two miserable meals and little to drink, and without pay.

Working behind closed doors, beyond the reach of personnel policies, and often without freedom, they were subject to the whims of their cruel employer. Five ferocious foremen guarded them round the clock like they were some kind of brutish cattle. They suffered from malnutrition, anemia and skin burns.

Meanwhile, the owner of the factory acted like he was some kind of powerful landlord who had everything but a heart. Living in a grand house right next to his impoverished men, he played his role well as a cruel king while at the same time wearing the mask of a generous merchant by distributing alms to his neighbors. His well-played role successfully fooled the people around him.

To make matters worse, the public official in the area had strong familial ties to him. Some military personnel allegedly offered protection for such inhumane practices. Money bought the perpetrator silence and protection. It was only the dramatic escape of the two workers that disclosed the barbaric practices from the colonial past. Nothing so far could appease the wrath and contempt of the public.

There's something irremissibly wrong with a man who could enslave his fellow citizens in such a cruel way. He must also be insane to such a degree for he had no regard for those helpless workers. He has ripped apart the fabric of reality that such a monstrosity could take place in any society regardless of race, religion or ideology.

For me personally, it is always baffling to know that sometimes people just don't grasp the obvious lessons learnt from our history. An act of disrespect, unfairness and injustice will only breed contempt and hatred. Violence breeds violence. Love breeds love.

Herlina
Jakarta