Puan Highlights Cases Of Sexual Violence At The 'Stack With Boss' Office

Photo by Sean Pollock on Unsplash

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, has again highlighted cases of violence and sexual harassment in the work environment, which have recently become increasingly rampant. Most of the victims are women who must get protection and equality while in the workplace.

"Violence and harassment in the workplace has become a very worrying phenomenon and must be eradicated immediately. It takes firmness from the Government to support relevant stakeholders so that incidents like this do not continue to repeat themselves," said Puan, Friday, May 5.

Puan also highlighted the alleged exploitation of female workers that went viral on social media. From the information circulating, a company management in Cikarang is suspected of providing requirements for female employees to staycation (staying at the hotel) with their superiors if they want a work contract to be extended.

"Obviously this is an act of sexual violence and I strongly condemn this act. Not only sexual harassment, this action has also violated human rights (HAM) and is a form of exploitation," said Puan.

Bung Karno's grandson asked law enforcement to cooperate with the Employment representative to investigate the case. If the allegation is proven, Puan asks the perpetrators to be punished as severely as possible to be a lesson for other parties not to play with the rules.

There is no mercy for acts of sexual violence. All workers are entitled to proper guarantees and livelihoods without any terms, let alone immoral terms such as'sleeping with the boss', "he said.

Puan said that the gender and patriarchal culture stereotypes that are still a scourge in the work environment must be overcome with various approaches. He also assessed that the practice of sexual violence in the work environment also occurs a lot due to the existence of power relations.

"Violence and harassment against women in the workplace is often a relationship between power and control by several people in workpower such as colleagues, superiors, or clients," said Puan.

In addition to regulations from the State, all companies are invited to have internal regulations governing protection and equality for women, including in efforts to prevent sexual violence against women. Puan said regulations from internal companies can break the chain of cases of sexual harassment in the work environment.

"Often victims cannot fight because of this power relationship. This must be decided through the firmness of the management, supervision from the Government, and awareness from all parties regarding the issue of protection of female workers," he explained.

"The awareness of all parties will at least reduce the practices of violence against female workers who are vulnerable to sexual harassment," added the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

According to Puan, more massive socialization and education are needed regarding legal products and regulations in an effort to prevent violence against women. One of them is Law (UU) Number 12 of 2022 concerning the Crime of Sexual Violence (TPKS).

"The power of attorney can be broken by the firm application of the TPKS Law. The public must also be more educated about the threats obtained if they commit sexual harassment, no matter how small. Good literacy will also increase public awareness of victims of sexual violence," said Puan.

'Don't let sexual violence happen in the work environment anymore. Women are entitled to security and comfort while working. There should be no discrimination because women are entitled to equal opportunities in a career without any conditions," he said.

Furthermore, Puan encouraged the Government and law enforcement parties as well as labor agencies to implement the mandate of the TPKS Law optimally. He encouraged the Government to accelerate the formation of derivative regulations for the TPKS Law so that regulations related to the prevention and settlement of cases of sexual violence could be implemented effectively by stakeholders.

There must be cross-sectoral synergies, both between ministries/agencies, law enforcement, and collaborating with community organizations so that the rules in the TPKS Law can run. Of course, including with industry players to ensure sexual violence does not occur in the work environment," said Puan.

The application of law enforcement in the TPKS Law is expected to create a deterrent effect for perpetrators of sexual crimes. That way, according to Puan, the number of cases of sexual violence in Indonesia can be minimized and even eliminated.

"Sexual violence cases are the responsibility of all of us. There are already regulations for implementing the law for perpetrators of sexual violence. So properly implement it," concluded the first woman to serve as Chair of the DPR RI.