PERSATUAN BMI TOLAK OVERCHARGING (PILAR)
United Indonesians against Overcharging
c/o APMM, G/F, 2 Jordan Road, Kowloon, HKSAR; Tel: 23147316
Fax: 27354559  Email: atkihk_2000@yahoo.com

Press Release
24 January 2007

For reference:             Eni Lestari
                                    Spokesperson
                                    Tel. No.: 96081475

“Consulate only serves the interest of recruiters”
Indonesian migrants call a new to scrap ban on change of agency

“The Indonesian government, as represented by Indonesian Consulate General, serves no interest other than that of recruitment agencies.”

This was declared today by Eni Lestari, spokesperson of the United Indonesians Against Overcharging or PILAR, in a protest action to demand the scrapping of the new policy that prohibits Indonesian migrants who have worked less for less than two years to change recruitment agency.

The order was contained in the Letter of Order 2258/2007 implemented at the start of the year.
 
“This consulate is notorious for playing deaf and blind to the problems of Indonesian migrants. Not only does it not act on our immediate concerns, it even worsens our situation as what will surely happen with this new rule,” she added.
 
Lestari reported that some Indonesians, especially those who have on going cases in the Labor Department and looking for employers, have already been rejected by new agencies when they tried to apply for new job. They were advised by the agency to go back to their first agencies who exploited them.
 
“The new rule puts many of us at the mercy of recruiters who overcharge, exploit and put us in abusive situations. What kind of government pushes its own people to danger?” Lestari remarked.
 
PILAr said that the said order was formulated upon consultation with the Association of Employment Agency on Hong Kong (APPIH).
 
“Migrant workers who will be severely affected were not consulted at all. Our demand for a dialogue has also not been answered. This just shows the untransparency of the Consulate and how notorious it is in protecting and promoting the interests of recruiters,” Lestari furthered.

Lestari said that PILAR is planning to conduct widepsread and varied actions to have the order scrapped. A big action is scheduled to be held on February 10.
 
“The Consulate will face the wrath of the Indonesian migrants. It is high time for them to face us and work on opur problems,” she concluded.#

ATKI-HK
Assosiasi Tenaga Kerja Indonesia Hong Kong

c/o: APMM, Jordan road no. 2, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
phone: +852 23147316 Fax: +852 27354559
blog: atkihongkong.blogspot.com