Niken Widya Yunita, Jakarta – Are you a woman? A worker? Have you experienced sexual harassment in the work place? If the answer is yes you are not alone. It is estimated that 90 per cent of women workers have been victims of sexual harassment in the work place.
This data was revealed by Nurlini from Ministry of Women’s Empowerment during a tripartite workshop on Sexual Harassment in the Work Place at the Indonesian Workers Foundation (YTKI) building on Jalan Gatot Subroto in South Jakarta on Tuesday August 24. The event was jointly organised by the International Labor Organisation (ILO) and the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo). However the relevant ministers who had been invited to attend only sent representatives.
“Research indicates that 90 per cent of women workers and 25 per cent of male workers have been sexually harassed during their working life. In as many as three quarters of cases sexual harassment involves women which is related to the low level of their wages and employment status”, explained Nurlini.
Sexual harassment is regulated under the Criminal Code (KUHP) but the sanctions do not represent much of a deterrent. The head of the legal bureau of the Department of Labour and Transmigration (Depnakertrans), Mira Hanartani, said that sexual harassment is regulated by KUHP Article 335 and carries a maximum punishment of one year’s jail or a maximum fine of 300,000 rupiah.
ILO as the sponsor of the event, explained that sexual harassment includes sexual behaviour which is unexpected and unwanted. Both men and women can be victims although women tend to be more susceptible.
The specific group of women who are at the greatest risk of becoming victims of sexual harassment include the children of women, young women, house keepers, migrant women workers, women who work in environments which are dominated by male workers and women who have no bargaining position. “Silence or no complaints being made does not mean that sexual harassment is not happening”, said Naomi Cassier from ILO.
Cassier says sexual harassment is a basic violation of a worker’s rights. “This issue is related to the issues of safety and health, workplace discrimination, poor working conditions and forms of violence, particularly against women”, added Cassier.
Forms of sexual harassment include repeatedly touching the shoulder or neck and putting one arms around a college’s waist; touching a college’s chest; looking at parts of the body; and demanding a physical relationship.
As a result of sexual harassment, victim suffers psychologically and physically. Psychologically, they suffer from embarrassment, feelings of betrayal, depression and low self-esteem. Physically it can cause headaches, high blood pressure, sleep disorders, suicide and gastrointestinal illness. Other injuries include the loss of motivation and work satisfaction, the loss of training and promotion opportunities, resignations and dismissals.
The suggested way to overcome sexual harassment is though two approaches, firstly a legal approach, both at the national level by the formulation of legislation and at the organisational level by the formulation of company regulations. Secondly, an individual approach by the resident psychologist to overcome the impact of sexual harassment.
Cassier says that employers have a responsibility to take action against violations of the rights of their workers except where the employer can find a means to prevent these violations from continuing. (nrl)
[Slightly abridged translation by James Balowski.]
