The harrowing tale of Siti Khotimah, an Indonesian domestic worker, has unveiled a grim reality that has raised criticism over the government’s failure to safeguard domestic workers within the country. Despite efforts to aid overseas workers, the plight of those within Indonesia remains distressingly unaddressed, as Khotimah’s case spotlights a glaring gap in protection measures.Siti Khotimah embarked on a journey from her hometown in Central Java to the capital city of Jakarta last year, driven by the prospect of a maid job she discovered on Facebook. Her intention was to alleviate her parents’ debt burden. However, her decision would lead to unimaginable suffering.
For months, Khotimah endured a nightmarish existence under the tyranny of her employer, an affluent 70-year-old residing in south Jakarta. Her account paints a grim picture of abuse, including being beaten, subjected to degrading treatment such as being coerced to consume animal feces, and even chained within a dog cage. The toll of this torment has left the 24-year-old with a limp and evident burn scars along her legs. The trauma is so profound that Khotimah tearfully admits, “My head hurts every time I think about what happened to me.”Khotimah’s ordeal is tragically not an isolated incident in Indonesia. The nation, despite being a prominent democracy, lacks essential legislation to safeguard domestic workers. This void in protection leaves over four million individuals, predominantly women, vulnerable to abuse within their own country.
Recently, the employer responsible for Khotimah’s suffering was sentenced to four years in prison for physical abuse, with other family members and maids involved receiving varying sentences. However, Khotimah’s agony extended further as she revealed that she had also experienced sexual assault during her employment. This revelation spurred her to file a separate lawsuit for sexual abuse.Activists and concerned individuals have long decried the absence of a domestic worker protection bill in Indonesia, which has remained in limbo for nearly two decades. This inaction has garnered accusations of negligence against the government. Currently, domestic workers are not legally classified as workers, effectively placing them in an informal and unregulated economic realm.
Even if the promised legislation were to eventually materialize, its reach would predominantly extend to those engaged by recruitment agents for overseas employment, leaving a significant portion of domestic workers without comprehensive protection.Siti Khotimah’s agonizing journey underscores the urgency of addressing the systemic shortcomings that render domestic workers vulnerable to exploitation and abuse within Indonesia. As the nation grapples with this stark reality, there is a pressing need to close the legal and protective gaps that perpetuate their suffering, ensuring their dignity and rights are upheld.
