Dear Mr. Muhammad Hanif Dhakiri,

Rights to Domestic Workers in Indonesia
- Adopt the Bill of Domestic Workers Rights and Ratify C189

In Indonesia, 10 million domestic workers, mostly women and girls work without any rights. Another 6 million working abroad face added insecurity and vulnerability.

In June 14, 2011, the former President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the first-ever Indonesia president addressed the International Labour Conference in Geneva, said:

“The positive implication of the adoption of the Domestic Workers Convention (C189) to Indonesia is that it could be used as a reference for the Indonesian parliament in formulating and finalizing the Draft Law on Domestic Workers.”

Four years have passed, no action has been taken. The Bill of Domestic Workers Rights has never been considered by the government. Domestic workers continue to work without minimum wage, holiday, sick leave and any other rights.

We now call upon the Indonesia government to walk its words and live up to its pledges which have been heard and remembered by the world.

1. Pass the Bill on Domestic Workers Rights and
2. Ratify the ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers, without delay and conditions.

Domestic workers are workers and should be treated like all other workers. JALA PRT leaders and other domestic workers supporters are now on hunger strike relay to press for these two demands. They are not alone.

Domestic workers and our allies everywhere will be with them until they win. A meeting with JALA PRT to discuss measure to resolve this situation would be most appropriate.

Yours truly,
International Domestic Workers Federation