Local employers have been given a “gentle” reminder to settle any pending issues with their Indonesian workers, including unpaid salaries, which to date shows a record 195 cases involving not only Indonesians working in informal sectors but also formal sectors such as construction and farming.

This was disclosed by the Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, Dempo Awang Yuddie, at a press conference.

The cases of unpaid salaries owed to Indonesian workers are of great concern, he said. There was even a case of unpaid wages amounting to BND$11,470 owed to a worker. This case is still in the process of settlement at the Department of Labour.

He noted that in meetings that have taken place between His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, His Majesty had expressed his appreciation to Indonesian workers for their contribution to the development of the Sultanate.

The Indonesian president had expressed his deepest appreciation to the monarch for giving an opportunity to Indonesians to work in Brunei and welcomed the efforts by the ruler to solve workers’ issues, particularly with the establishment of the Employment Order last September 2009.

Also in attendance at the press conference that took place at the embassy were Defence Attaché Col Sunaryo, Third Secretary Dyah Kuncorowati, Technical Staff of Labour Rahmawati Yaunidar and Staff of Consular Services Efri Yoni Baikoeni.

47,368 Indonesians work in various fields in Brunei, of whom 907 are professional workers (doctors, lecturers, stewardess and entrepreneurs), 16,782 formal workers, 25,841 informal workers, 2,288 workers in “contributing” sectors and 32 ship crew members.

Based on records kept by the embassy here, last year 665 cases were recorded.

A total of 644 cases were settled “well” with 461 complainants returning home and 183 returning to their employers or transferred to new employers.

Meanwhile, the number of workers taking shelter at the Indonesian Embassy was 497.

From January to July this year, the embassy received a total of 387 complaints, of which 321 cases have been resolved and 66 cases are still in the process of settlement.

By the end of last month, 56 Indonesian workers are still staying at the embassy’s shelter. Their complaints include unpaid salaries, physical abuse, sex harassment, immigration issues, criminal action and insurance claims.

Meanwhile, the number of workers who “could not bear” working with their employers totalled 208.

Physical abuse, which varies from minor to serious, was reported by 35 domestic helpers. Six of the cases as well as two reported rape cases are being handled by the Women and Child Abuse Unit of the Royal Brunei Police Force.

Sexual harassment was reported by six domestic helpers who have sought help from the embassy. Some have requested to be returned home, while some asked to be transferred to a new employer.

Dempo said in an effort to expedite the settlement of the cases, the embassy have held meetings with the Minister of Home Affairs, Commissioner of Police, Attorney General, Chief Justice, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office and District Officer.

The embassy has also written to the Department of Labour to request that prior to the signing of the work contract, a draft contract should be verified by the embassy to provide understanding of the contract to avoid any misunderstanding.

Dempo is also waiting for a response to the draft Mandatory Consular Notification (MCN) forwarded by the Indonesian government last January 2009 as well as the MoU on the Protection of Indonesian Domestic Workers. These two MoUs, he added, aim to resolve any “misunderstanding” issues between employers and employees.

To assist Indonesian workers, the embassy has signed an agreement with local law firm, Sandhu and Company. Under the agreement, signed by the Indoensian ambassador and Daljit Singh Sandhu on May 11, 2010, the law firm provides legal aid to the embassy.

Dempo said that resolving disputes very much depends on the goodwill of the employer or employee to expedite the process. He called on employers to provide sufficient protection to their workers, particularly in paying the workers’ salaries.

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