Asia-Pacific
Indonesian ban on workers to Saudi Arabia
Moratorium from August 1 reflects Jakarta's anger over maid's execution in
kingdom last week.
Last Modified: 23 Jun 2011 10:50
Indonesia has barred its citizens from travelling to Saudi Arabia to work, amid
a spat with Riyadh over the beheading of an Indonesian maid in the kingdom for
alleged murder.
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the Indonesian president, on Thursday condemned the
beheading and accused Riyadh of breaking the "norms and manners" of
international relations.
"I decided to apply a moratorium on sending Indonesian workers to Saudi Arabia,
to be in effect on August 1, but starting from today, steps toward this have
begun" he said in a live TV address.
The moratorium will apply "until Indonesia and Saudi Arabia can come to an
agreement to give rights necessary for Indonesian workers," he added.
"[The suspension] will take effect on August 1 and will remain until Indonesia
and Saudi Arabia can come to an agreement to give rights necessary for
Indonesian workers"
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,
Indonesian president
He said Jakarta was considering applying a similar ban to other Gulf states
where human rights activists say migrant workers also face abuse and
exploitation.
Yudhoyono's comments reflect Indonesia's growing anger over the abuse and
maltreatment that many of its citizens have to endure while working in the Gulf
countries.
Ruyati binti Sapubi, 54, was executed by sword after being convicted of
murdering her Saudi employer, Khairiya bint Hamid Mijlid, with a meat cleaver
for not being granted leave to visit home.
Furious over her execution, Jakarta has recalled its ambassaor to Saudi Arabia
for "consultations".
The execution also prompted calls from Indonesian rights activists for the
scrapping of the death penalty. Indonesia carries out executions by firing
squad.
There are about 1.2 million Indonesian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, most of
them working as maids, who are a valuable source of foreign exchange reserves
and help reduce unemployment in Southeast Asia's leading economy.
Twenty-three Indonesians currently face execution in Saudi Arabia, where people
convicted of murder are beheaded in public.
Source:
Agencies
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