Abandoned In Dubai, Eliyah, Illegal Female Workers from Indonesia Can't Go Home

JAKARTA - Female Workers (TKW) from Ciawitali Hamlet, Pusakaratu Village, Pusakanagara District, Subang Regency, Eliyah (29), are displaced in Dubai.

The wife of Acu Samsudin (40) was forced to beg for food, and drank using tap water. Eliyah asked for help so that she could return to her homeland.

The chairman of the Indonesian Advocacy Agency (BAI) for Subang Regency, Darman Sri Gandi, said that Eliyah departed from the country a month ago. Once in Dubai, Eliyah found an employer.

"Whether the employer is fierce or what, Eliyah returns to the shelter. At the shelter, Eliyah is tortured", said Darman Sri Gandi to VOI, Tuesday, August 3.

"Unable to stand being tortured, continued Darman, Eliyah ran away from the shelter. "Now she's stranded, even eating until she begs, just drink using tap water", said Darman.

Eliyah then asked BAI for help. Then, they were directed by BAI by telephone to go to the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI).

Eliyah's husband, still said Darman, had come to the BAI office to ask for help so that Eliyah could return to the country. Eliyah apparently departed illegally using a visit visa.

"Eliyah's visit visa will expire on July 30. Eliyah once asked her family for IDR 9 million to return home, but her family couldn't afford it", she said.

Because, she added, Eliyah's family was in the poverty line. It is difficult to meet the needs of everyday life.

"The house is not even worth it. Let alone to return Eliyah, for food and daily needs only shortages", he said.

BAI's step, said Darman, is to ask the sponsors and the company to return Eliyah. Because, Eliyah was dispatched to become a housemaid illegally.

"The Subang Regency Government must also give attention and assistance to Eliyah, because she is a resident of Subang Regency", he said.