Mahnettik Program Profile

CTC Mah-Net-TIKCommunity Technology Center

Number of Indonesian overseas workers (IOW) has gone up 280% in 13 years (489,773 people, 2007) characterized by unskilled labor (72.86%) and women (69.9%). Indonesia, as stated in Medium Term Development Plan 2004-2009, wants to increase workers quality through skills training.

Working without proper documents is an issue as reliable information at IOWs area of origin is lacking. Jobs learned from relatives . Problems that started at the very beginning led to series of potentially unsafe migration. In 2007 alone, 206 died in destination country. Therefore, it is important to have alternative information about opportunity to work overseas. Secondly, family participation is crucial as they motivate and use remittance sent by IOW. Skills training should be offered to aspirant IOW and their family, considering the central role of the family in the decision making process.

Why Migrant Workers?

A Tifa’s project aims to provide skills training in the area of origins to improve employability and eco-nomic opportunity of aspiring IOWs and their family. This is a new approach aims to establish a CTCs in 10 districts in provinces with highest IOW concen-tration through partnership with local NGOs. In two year, this program will build 10 CTCs in 10 district, benefitting 73,728 people.

Mah-Net-Tik is acronym of Rumah Internet Tenaga Kerja Indonesia or Internet Center for Indonesia Overseas Worker, aimed to be a magnet that has wide magnitude for community to come. It designated to be a community center that enable community mem-ber to conducting varied activities, from skills train-ing to community meetings. From educating people to providing easy-cheap communication means. It’s a magnet, it’s a center, it’s community owned.

IT skills improvement could enhance employability and economic opportunity for both aspirant IOWs and their fam-ily; and strengthening access to overseas migration information leads to better understanding of processes and opportunities. Therefore, intervention should be conducted in IOWs areas of origin.

What isMah-Net-TIK?

Why ICT?

Enabling aspirant migrant workers in 10 districts identified as source (sending) area, to have adequate skills, knowledge, and information in order to acquire better job and economic opportunities

Protecting and preventing both aspirant migrant workers and their family from entering dangerous situations by equipped them with knowledge and correct information on the work, destination countries, and the procedures required.

Promoting the adoption of IT in the society of sending (rural) areas of migrant workers.

What is The goal of the program?

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The room extends to at least 4x4 square me-ters. Four computer terminals are in place. In this green-painted room, women of all ages are absorbed before the computer screens, eagerly typing on their keyboards.

”You misspelt a word,” said a young woman in white headscarf to her friend typing a sentence for the design of a name plate.

These women are former and potential Indone-sian migrant workers. In a village located at quite a distance from the city of Purwokerto, these women migrant workers gather to familiarize themselves with computers and to make use of discounted internet services at the Seruni Center.

”Seruni was initially focused only on the organiz-ing of migrant workers and a place to seek infor-mation on employment overseas,” explained Lili, chair of the Seruni Association. “But since these computers were installed, it has now also become a training center and a place where migrant work-ers can develop their computer skills,” she added.

“We do not wish for our neighbors to be displaced and neglected in a foreign land.”

SERUNI

Seruni was founded in early 2000 by Narsidah (a former Indonesian migrant worker in Singapore and Hongkong) and Lili. Both have endured their fair share of trials and tribulations in regard to migrant worker problems experienced in Indonesia and abroad. Working in a foreign country along with the ebbs and flows that come with it have become part of the life of these two Banyumas na-tives.

Seruni was established by Narsidah upon her return from Hongkong in 2000. In Hongkong, Narsidah worked while also actively involved in organizing activities. Through the advocacy divi-sion, Narsidah was immersed in activities related to the case advocacy of migrant workers in Hongkong who are victims of fraud, abuse and other forms of violations.

“I was able to do this in Hongkong because of my previous dreadful experience when I was about to leave for Taiwan.

At the time I was swindled by my sponsor and the company where he works for. Up to the critical point in my case, some NGOs and university students have been there to help me through. From them, I learned about situation facing Indonesian migrant workers, advocacy and negotiation,” explained Narsidah.

Based on this experience, Seruni was established. Its mission is to stimulate migrant workers’ learning im-pulse, and to function also as an information center. With the installation of computers provided by Tifa Foundation and Microsoft, Seruni also offers com-puter courses and inexpensive internet connection.

”Here we learn to develop additional skills which by God’s willing shall be beneficial when they have the opportunity to work abroad or for those in the village who wish to seek other forms of employment,” she said.

Do computer and internet literacy bring any benefit? Lili gave an illustration of a case involving one of her friends employed overseas.

Lili helped her friend seek a solution to her problem by sending data and information on the case through email. An easy and swift action which led to the im-mediate handling of the case.

Do they still prefer to work overseas as domes-tic help once they are computer literate? A young woman in the village asserted that she remains hope-ful of following the footsteps of her sister working overseas.

The promise of a good wage and employment short-ages in the country are the main driving force for a migrant worker’s decision to seek work abroad. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that a former Indonesian migrant worker is now a successful ca-terer in her hometown. Her business began from her meticulousness in collecting and experimenting with recipes found through surfing the internet.

There are many other similar uplifting accounts in this village that add to another dimension to the migrant worker situation in Indonesia. CTC is one of the solutions available to help boost the capacity of migrant workers who now reach at least 2,000 people each year.

He is known to me as Mang Ade. Thirty-year old Mang Ade is well-built with dark skin. He hails from the island of Nusa Kambangan in Cilacap, Central Java. Mang Ade is unemployed.

”I want to go overseas,” he said with conviction. The district of Cilacap can be classified as a poor region. Apart from farming in rainwater catchment areas, local residents rely on fishing which does not generate much income. It is hardly surprising that the appeal of working overseas has attracted these people like bees to honey.

Cilacap is one of the largest supplier of Indonesian migrant workers in Central Java. Their contribution to the local economy is comparatively substantial with an average remittance of Rp 300 billion each year. This sizeable contribution however, does not match with the level of services that migrant work-ers are entitled to, thus in many respects have been detrimental to Indonesian migrant workers.

The fundamental problem confronting Indonesian migrant workers is the lack of accurate informa-tion and as a consequence the decision to become a migrant worker is often based more on speculation and blindly following others. The district government however, is not paying any attention to this problem. Even to this day, the handling of migrant worker issues from the availability of information to the pro-viding of skills is far from expectation.

Nadhatul Ulama’s Human Resource Study and Development Institute (Lakpesdam NU) in Cilacap has taken the initiative to delve into this phenomena through

the Migrant Worker Information Organizing pro-gram package specifically by involving information technology-based socio-religious organizations. This is intended to minimize violations of migrant work-ers’ rights and to push for an improvement in the economic standard of its members.

”I come here once in several weeks to learn to oper-ate the computer,” said Mang Ade.

The computer training center is located 30 minutes from the district’s city. Only ten minutes from the Cilacap train station. Mang Ade however, is not from the nearest city or village. He must travel by boat to cross over to the city. This will take him at least 30 minutes of travel time. It is also an expensive jour-ney.

I benefit from the lessons,” he said.

The Lakpesdam NU-Cilacap Community Technol-ogy Centre (CTC) is situated in the same location as the phone voucher business. The computer training center can be found at the rear end of the premise. There are at least four computer terminals installed at the center.

”Lessons here range from introduction to software applications, typing skills to internet use,” mentioned one of the organizers.

For Mang Ade, CTC has created a glint of hope and optimism for a better future. Apart from learning, at CTC he can also obtain an array of information on the employment situation in other countries.

A 30-Minute Sailfor Computer Access

IWORK’s experience in Dayu Village, Blitar, East Java, Babakan-Cirebon, and Kulon Progo-Yogyakarta.Dayu Village is a plateau at the foot of Mount Ke-lud. A village of cool breeze and an abundance of water springs. The majority of the local population earn a living from small-scale farming, palm tap-ping and trading. In addition, migrant workers are also a complementary economic source.

At least 300-400 households in the village subsist on food crops. The main commodity is non-staple food crops such as pulses, soybean, maize and chili. Rice planting is only done 2-3 times a year.

Forty percent (at least 200-250 households) of local residents rely on palm tapping and the processing of palm sugar for their livelihood. The majority re-side in Kambingan hamlet. This community appears to be economically better off than food crop farm-ers. Total sugar production is estimated at 2-3 tons each day.

Families in Dayu Village generally have relatives who were either former migrant workers or are currently employed overseas. An estimated 150-200 people are now working in foreign countries. The largest contribution of migrant workers from this village is evident in the form of well-maintained houses and the ownership of vehicles.

Migration is normally done in groups where the ma-jority prefer Malaysia as their destination country. The usual route to becoming a migrant worker is through middlemen in Dayu and other villages.

Those who seek the help of official recruitment agencies are normally done on an individual basis with Malaysia, Singapore and Hongkong as their preferred host country.

Migrant worker issues are rife in Blitar district. This district has a high migration rate. It has es-tablished an immigration office to specifically cater to migrant workers from Kediri (Ponorogo, Kediri, Tulungagung and Blitar).

Babakan village lies on the northern coast at the border area between Cirebon and Brebes. At least 70% (from 600 households) of the local population depend on the agricultural sector particularly sug-arcane and rice. A sugarcane mill that dates back to Dutch colonial times is still in operations to this day. The remaining 30% of the population are either traders, craftsmen or beboro (commuting to nearby cities particularly Jakarta to seek employment).

Babakan village is unique in terms of its ethnicity and dialect. Half of its population are Sundanese with Sundanese as their dialect, while the rest of the populace are Javanese who speak in Javanese but with a Cirebon accent, locally known as Jawa Sawareh (half Javanese).

The number of migrant workers originating from this village is substantial. Nearly all households have relatives working overseas and sometimes even more than one primarily either their mothers (wives) or daughters. Male migrant workers from this village however, are not as many as women migrant workers. Their numbers are estimated to reach 200 – 250 people.

More Internet - Savvy Workers

The number of migrant workers originating from this village is substantial. Nearly all households have relatives working overseas and sometimes even more than one primarily either their mothers (wives) or daughters. Male migrant workers from this village however, are not as many as women migrant workers. Their numbers are estimated to reach 200 – 250 people.

The Karangwuni and Glagah villages at Kulon Progo’s southern coast is renown for their Glagah beach which is one of Yogyakarta’s more popular beach areas.

The southern coast which stretches from Karang-wuni village, Glagah beach, Congot (Purworejo) to Kebumen and Cilacap is the hometown of many migrant workers. For unknown reasons, the far-ther to the west, the more the number of migrant workers. In Karangwuni and Glagah alone, it is estimated that some 100-150 people are currently migrant workers. Their main destination countries are Malaysia, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.

The Institute for Migrant Worker (IWORK) has been involved in programs in this village since 2006 through its Media Development and Greater Access to Information and Technology for In-creased Protection for Indonesian Migrant Work-ers and their Communities Program.

IWORK has attempted to address this need by maintaining a multipage website portal at www.buruhmigran.com or www.zonamigran.com which

is also designed to accommodate public participa-tion through citizen journalism.

IWORK has independently developed its own website but must still overcome several technical constraints among others its query and input sys-tem by users which results in the less than optimal running of certain features such as citizen journal-ism and the Q&A forum. There is still room for im-provements to ensure a more appealing, inclusive, interactive and user-friendly website.

The purpose is to help migrant workers and their communities avoid vulnerabilities that put them at risk by functioning as an information media and building knowledge and awareness on migrant workers’ rights.

The Community Technology Center Development Program for Indonesian Migrant Workers orga-nized by TIFA Foundation is a commendable break-through by taking into account the conditions, strengths and weaknesses of this particular media. IWORK’s experience has shown that a consider-able number of Indonesian migrant workers are information technology literate notably those working in Hongkong, Korea, Macau and Taiwan.

This is also true for Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia and Singapore. Their involvement and frequency in accessing www.zonamigran.com is considerably high including in establishing contact with the website’s administration through the YM facility available at the website.

Jl. Jaya Mandala II No. 14 E, Menteng DalamJakarta Selatan 12870 - IndonesiaTelp. (+62) 21-829-2776 (Hunting)

Fax. (+62) 21-837-83648www.tifafoundation.org