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Indonesia urged to ratify ILO convention, combat gender-based violence at work
At least 71 percent of 75 respondents and women workers interviewed in the report said they had been subjected to gender-based harassment at work, according to the report.
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Female workers arrange garment products in a factory. (Antara/Saptono)
Y
uliana, a 25-year-old Indonesian worker in the garment industry, was sitting at her desk when a leader at the footwear factory she worked for suddenly grabbed her from behind.
She was startled by her boss’ inappropriate action and was not able to react at first, but as Yuliana came back to her senses, she grew angry and slapped him in the face, telling him to watch his hands as he had “done it to other workers, too”.
“I was honestly scared because that man is a permanent worker at the company,” Yuliana said as quoted in a report released by United States-based international worker rights group Solidarity Center.
“I [was] worried he would try to put me into a situation where he can blame and fire me.”
Yuliana was not the only woman who has experienced harassment in the blue-collar working environment, as the report revealed that women working in the garment industry frequently faced gender-based violence at work.
Published in May, the report was made in collaboration with female activists and three worker unions, namely FSB Garteks, the Federation of Independent Trade Union (GSBI) and the National Workers’ Union (SPN).
At least 71 percent of 75 respondents and women workers interviewed in the report said they had been subjected to gender-based violence at work, according to the report.
