JP: Most wage violations against domestic workers 'done by expats'

[Puspawarna]

I'm with londo_edan on this one. A reporter doesn't have to be biased to possess and use critical thinking skills. When the NGO says that there are cases where staff were not paid for as long as two years, it's only logical to ask follow-up questions: "Why did they stay for so long if they were not paid?" "How did you find out about this case?" "Did your staff do any independent verification of the story, and if so what did you do to determine its veracity?"

Any decent journalist with half a brain should consider it their job to probe in such a manner.

 

[Davita]

I don't know whether this was repeated from a press-release document or a physical meeting that offered questions...so can't comment on the opportunity that was presented.
I haven't seen any such report on my Jakarta Globe internet subscription and my bahasa Indonesian is so bad I hardly understand the headlines from other local newspapers.
An internet search has only produced what the Jakpost has reported.
Has this issue been reported elsewhere so we may have different perspectives?

 

[Bad_azz]

Why did they stay? Most likely because they had no alternative place to live perhaps- no wages but got food and a bed an possibly liked the people they are with. I'd have my money on that being the case.
~~~~~

Our assistant was out gigging last night and kindly came home bearing gifts (as he often does; often sate or cake) and a drunken wobble and promptly fell sleep in the garden chair. So I guess he is happy enough with us after almost 2 years: phew.

 

[Puspawarna]

I don't know whether this was repeated from a press-release document.

A standard press release gives the name of the issuing institution's press officer, and a phone number/email to contact for questions. So while it may very well have just been a written document, that's not an excuse for failing to follow up. (Of course, I'm not trying to be argumentative toward you, Davita. It's the failure of the reporter that bothers me.)

 

[Davita]

A standard press release gives the name of the issuing institution's press officer, and a phone number/email to contact for questions. So while it may very well have just been a written document, that's not an excuse for failing to follow up. (Of course, I'm not trying to be argumentative toward you, Davita. It's the failure of the reporter that bothers me.)

I beg to your knowledge as I don't know these things work.
I do think, however, if this reporter failed in her reporting then how deficient were other media who, as far as I have read, haven't made any report or comment about this issue at all.
Has anyone seen or heard any further comment on this subject from another source than Jakarta Post?

 

[fastpitch17]

I beg to your knowledge as I don't know these things work.
I do think, however, if this reporter failed in her reporting then how deficient were other media who, as far as I have read, haven't made any report or comment about this issue at all.
Has anyone seen or heard any further comment on this subject from another source than Jakarta Post?

Maybe they are all busy checking the story out as they should before they post it.

 

[Bad_azz]

And maybe there is some truth to the story- because not all foreign employers /expats are lovely people such as us lot in here.

 

[macvert]

Every good lie has at least an element of truth ... makes the lie easier to remember & as I assume we all know, if you want to be a good liar then you need a good memory....

 

[fastpitch17]

And maybe there is some truth to the story- because not all foreign employers /expats are lovely people such as us lot in here.

If the reporter was doing a proper job she may have asked for a breakdown by country listed.

 

[Bad_azz]

If the reporter was doing a proper job she may have asked for a breakdown by country listed.

If the reporter was doing a proper job she might be working elsewhere

 

[Anglian]

Why do people stay if not paid, they should leave immediately for non payment, but most not to smart optimistically stay on hoping that they will get paid, we've had a couple of maids not paid, they both gave it 3 months, and just left, it's a sad fact that some of these young girls don't know their rights or who to go for help, I offered to go and see if I could get one of the girls salary, she was terrified, so rather than cause her more problems we didn't proceed, she was a nice little girl totally naive, but I'm pleased to say quiet happily married back in her kampung

 

[godmachine12]

It would still be JPs responsibility to do some confirmation of what they are reporting on. Isn't that journalistic responsibility?

Of which the post has pitifully little.

 

[fastpitch17]

The Post puts these pictures of their reporters on top of the stories. It looks like the majority of them are like 20 years old.

 

[Bad_azz]

The Post puts these pictures of their reporters on top of the stories. It looks like the majority of them are like 20 years old.

So there you go, they have youth and vitality, a fresh take on the "news' and a wealth of experience and contacts to draw from- nuff said.

 

[fastpitch17]

So there you go, they have youth and vitality, a fresh take on the "news' and a wealth of experience and contacts to draw from- nuff said.

That's funny

 

[Davita]

Maybe they are all busy checking the story out as they should before they post it.

The story broke in Jakarta Post 4 days ago and I still haven't heard anything from anyone or any other media. Personally I'm content with SOME information, no matter the quality, being better than NO information.

 

[jstar]

In that case you can ask anybody on the street for directions, David.

 

[Davita]

In that case you can ask anybody on the street for directions, David.

Get with the times my friend... we all have smartphones and GPS...no need to ask for directions any more....except when my wife offers.
Last time I asked 'where are you?' she replied "I'm here you dummy!"

 

[londo_edan]

Personally I'm content with SOME information, no matter the quality, being better than NO information.

And so it goes.

 

[brian@bekasi]

We often hold wages in our safe for a number months at the request of the maid. That is when they want to save for a special purpose such as a mobile phone or to go home on holidays. They ask us to hold the money but always return it to them when they ask. Our maids eat the same food as us, live in good sized bedrooms and have the run of the house just the same as any other member of our family.We also give them extra money as spending money each week.
Our maids generally come from the islands and generally have no idea about banks.