Frustrated at home, Indonesian domestic workers vow to fight for protection on international stage

A couple on a motorcycle drives past a mural under Kewek Bridge in Yogyakarta. The mural demands that the government and the House of Representatives resume deliberation of a bill on the protection of domestic workers, which has been stalled for 18 years. Antara Photo via Jakarta Post/ANN

JAKARTA, June 20 (Jakarta Post/ANN): With the government and lawmakers seemingly dragging their feet in providing better protection for Indonesian domestic workers, activists have set out to fight for their rights on the international stage.

Indonesia has at least five million domestic workers, according to the National Advocacy Network (JALA), and many of them experience hostile working conditions, including abusive treatment and given no days off or health insurance by their employers.