TKI DISPATCH MORATORIUM HAILED, GOVT TO FORM TASK FORCE by Fardah

      Jakarta, June 23, 2011 (ANTARA) - The government`s decision to halt the sending of Indonesian migrant workers to Saudi Arabia was hailed by various parties, and more than that a special task force is set up to help troubled TKIs overseas.
      Former vice president Jusuf Kalla, noted international law Hikmahanto Juwana, and House Speaker Marzuki Alie have supported and appreciated the government for the moratorium which comes into effect on August 1, 2011.

      The decision is in line with the national interest, Kalla, the chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), and Hikmahanto said separately Thursday.
       "It`s about time. Twenty years ago, yes we did need to send (TKIs). But, our country is now different from 20 years ago, our nation has made good progress," Kalla said after attending the 57th anniversary of the Indonesian Muslim University in Makassar, Central Sulawesi.
       He, however, suggested that the moratorium be imposed on the dispatch of Indonesian women working as housemaids overseas, while those working in other professions such as nurses and construction workers, could continue.
       "It`s about gender. But if female workers have skills as nurses, it`s okay. Meaning, we have to change the system," he said.

Hikmahanto Juwana, dean of the University of Indonesia`s Law Faculty, in Jakarta, described the government`s decision to impose the moratorium as courageous and important for the protection of TKIs.

"Moreover, the moratorium would be revoked only when the Saudi government would improve the protection of TKIs and sign a bilateral agreement on TKI protection with Indonesia," he said.

He stressed the moratorium should be implemented seriously by the concerned ministers, and the public should help control its implementation.

As a consequence of the moratorium, Jusuf Kalla, also a successful businessman, suggested that the government must create a lot of job opportunities at home, something the government does have the ability to do.

Kalla said one of the keys to create new jobs in Indonesia was developing electricity infrastructures to generate more power. Having adequate electricity supplies will automatically result in an increase in investment.

"The point is to develop electricity. If there is enough electricity supply, investors will come. I am sure we can give better salaries if our investment sector improves. There, the salary of our TKI is only Rp1.8 million, while our minimum regional salary is Rp1.2 million. It`s not much of a difference," he said.

He also said the government should set up a legal aid team consisting of the country`s best lawyers to help troubled migrant workers overseas.

On Wednesday (June 22), the government finally announced the planned moratorium on the dispatch of migrant workers (TKI) to Saudi Arabia after being pressured by various parties following tragic ordeals suffered by several TKIs in the Middle Eastern kingdom.

The beheading of Ruyati binti Satubi (54) from West Java especially triggered the decision. She was beheaded with a sword in Mecca on Saturday (June 18) after being found guilty of killing an elderly Saudi woman by striking her repeatedly on the head with a meat chopper and stabbing her in the neck, the Saudi interior ministry said in a statement

The execution has prompted the government to protest the action by recalling its ambassador to the Middle Eastern kingdom and sending a formal note to the Saudi foreign ministry, as the woman was beheaded without prior notice to Indonesian representatives in Saudi.

"After considering and studying the impact of total tightening for the past three months the Indonesian government decided to declare a moratorium on the dispatch of workers to Saudi Arabia," Manpower Minister Muhaimin Iskandar said here on Wednesday (June 22).

To help Indonesian migrant workers (TKIs) being threatened by the death penalty overseas, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has decided to set up a special task force.

The special task force is needed to make the handling of the troubled TKIs more focused, the head of state announced at a press conference at his office here Thursday.

The President also decided to place a legal and human rights attache in every country receiving Indonesian migrant workers.

Yudhoyono strongly protested that the Saudi government did not inform Indonesia before the execution was carried out.

"Like other Indonesians I am sad over the incident. I am concerned and strongly protest the Saudi government for having broken international norms with regard to the execution," he said.

The President said efforts had always been made by the government for the protection of its citizens.

Manpower Minister Muhaimin Iskandar explained here on Thursday the task force would most likely be established next week.

"The task force will handle the cases of Indonesians facing grave accusations. The threat of a death penalty must be dealt with exclusively," he said.

The task force`s first assignment will be handling the cases of 22 Indonesian migrant workers now facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.

The Indonesian government has already approached the Saudi government to ask for clemency for the workers, he said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marty told the Parliament recently that a total of 303 Indonesian migrant workers had been threatened with the death penalty overseas over the past 20 years, and the government had managed to help 12 of them escape the death penalty.

Around 4.32 million Indonesian men and women work overseas, especially in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Gulf countries, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Indonesia, the world`s fourth most populous country after China, India and the United States of America, has an unemployment rate of between 7 and 8 percent. More than 30 percent of its population are between 19 and 24 years old.

Based on data from the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency, as of August 10, 2010, the Indonesian work force reached 116.5 million people of a population of 237 million. ***3***

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(T.F001/A/F001/A/A014) 23-06-2011 23:08:44