Hongkong Murder Brings Urgency to Indonesia Migrant Policy Reform

Photographer: Lilik Darmawan/NurPhoto/Zuma Wire

The family of Sumarti Ningsih, in Cilacap, Central Java, Indonesia, on Nov. 3, 2014, is requesting that her killer be put to death, and that her body be immediately brought back to Indonesia. 

Officials confirmed on Wednesday that the victims; 32-year-old Seneng Mujiasih, aka Jesse Lorena, and Sumartiningsih, 23, had previously worked legally as domestic workers in Hong Kong. 

However, the work permits were no longer valid when their bodies were found at their alleged killer’s apartment in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, on Saturday.
Seneng’s work permit was known to be valid until 2012 while Sumartiningsih’s latest entry to Hong Kong was on a social visit visa.
Migrant Care executive director Anis Hidayah said the facts indicated that the two could have fallen victim to human traffickers after their initial work permits expired. It was also a reflection on how poor the government’s protection for migrant workers was.

“We have assisted numerous cases in Hong Kong where migrant workers have complained about the complicated processes required in getting their work permits extended. The cost for the extension alone can amount to Rp 35 million [US$2,876], which the workers must pay in installments deducted from their monthly salaries,” she said.

More @ Jakarta Post

Also: The Hong Kong Murders: A Kiss on the Cheek and She Was Gone @ Bloomberg