During 15 Years 2,332 Cases Of Violence Experienced By Domestic Assistants, Komnas Perempuan Urges For Ratification Of The PPRT Bill

JAKARTA - Head of Komnas Perempuan Andy Yentriyani said workers or domestic assistants (PRT) experienced multiple vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was conveyed by Andy at an event entitled "The Stage of Expression: Attaching Support, Legalizing the PPRT Bill" in Jakarta, Tuesday, June 21.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, the level of vulnerability of domestic workers increases with the threat of losing their jobs without pay and severance pay as well as exclusion from social safety net programs and their vulnerability to being infected with the virus," he said.

In addition, he continued, work as a domestic worker is still not considered an official job, so most domestic workers do not have social security, either in the form of health or employment insurance.

"PRT is a very noble job, so it is important to ensure that guarantees for decent work for humanity, jobs that also receive recognition, protection and enforcement of human rights exist or apply in Indonesia," he explained.

For this reason, his party urges the Draft Law on the Protection of Domestic Workers (RUU PPRT) to be immediately ratified as a form of recognition and protection of the rights of domestic workers.

According to him, the absence of a legal umbrella for domestic workers makes them vulnerable to violence and does not get their rights.

Based on Komnas Perempuan data, it was recorded that during the period 2005-2020, more than 2,332 cases of violence were experienced by domestic workers.

"This means that every two days, at least one woman who works as a domestic worker becomes a victim of violence," he said.

Andy added that in 2021 there will be five cases of violence reported to Komnas Perempuan and 12 cases reported to a number of related institutions.

Cases of violence against domestic workers include economic violence, physical violence, sexual violence, and psychological violence.

"This data may only be the tip of the iceberg of the existing problems. However, it further emphasizes that we really need this PPRT Bill," he said.