Indonesian maids undeterred by Saudi horrors focus 12/09/2010

Indonesian maids undeterred by Saudi horrors

focus

12/09/2010

RAWA LUMBU — Undeterred by sickening tales of abuse, Indonesian women are lining up to work as maids in Saudi Arabia where in just a few years they can achieve an almost unthinkable dream — financial independence.

Most think they will be treated well by fellow Muslims in the land of the Islamic holy places, despite the repeated cases of Indonesian women being subjected to physical and mental violence by their Saudi employers.

One recent example was so shocking it prompted Indonesia to summon the Saudi ambassador and send a ministerial delegation to the oil-rich kingdom.

Sumiati Binti Salan Mustapa, 23, remains in hospital in Medina after her employer, a Saudi woman who has since been arrested, allegedly beat her causing internal bleeding and broken bones, scalded her head with an iron and slashed her with scissors, leaving her horribly disfigured and traumatized.

Earlier in November the beaten body of another Indonesian maid, Kikim Komalasari, 36, was found near Abha. Two persons, her employers, have been arrested in that case.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101209com3.html