YASANTI Commemorate Human Rights Day with 500 Women Homeworkers in Yogyakarta

To commemorate World’s Human Rights Day on 10^th December 2017, Yayasan Annisa Swasti (Yasanti) held “We are Homeworkers & We Exist” event at Taman Hiburan Rakyat (public recreation park) in Gabusan Square, Bantul, Yogyakarta Special Region. About 500 women homeworkers from Yogyakarta and Central Java attended the event showcasing products made by homeworkers at the women’s market as well as art and cultural performances.

Local government also stated their support for the women homeworkers. One of them was addressed by Bambang Guritno, Assistant of Economy and Development of Local Government of Bantul Regency. He expressed the support of the local government in Bantul to gain business licensing service that has become more open, easy and free of charge.

“Feel free to submit the business permit application at the sub-district office. We provide the services for free so that your businesses can grow,” he explained in his opening remarks.

Similar support was also expressed by Isharyanto, Head of Tahunan Village, Umbulharjo; Angga Suanggana of the Department of Manpower and Transportation, Yogyakarta; and Farah of the Workers Social Security Agency (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan). All three claimed that this moment let homeworkers join forces and made a breakthrough from “nothing” to “something”.

Through MAMPU, Yasanti supports homeworkers to give them the courage and voice to fight for their rights as workers. The event launched the Declaration of Women Workers Home led by Warisah, chair of the Women’s Union of Domestic Workers Workers (PPR) Federation of Bantul District and the chair of the event committee. The declaration was represented by 11 female domestic workers from 11 PPR unions, and was a symbolic statement that they should be recognized as workers, and encouraged governments both at local and national levels to protect and secure their rights as workers, including access to social protection, health and funding support programs.

Speaking to a MAMPU representative, Warisah expressed her happiness and gratitude. She also hoped that the event will help to strengthen the bond between homeworkers and that what she has been struggling for several years will be fruitful in the future.

“I hope that the rest of the homeworkers who have not joined the union will gain awareness over time, start seeing the successful fellow workers who’ve been in the union,” she said while smiling proudly. “We are all one. There’s no separation between us. This is all from us, to us, homeworkers,” she concluded before returning to the stage.