I was attending a meeting to finalize the draft of action plan on HIV prevention among migrant workers in Indonesia. As usual, from 20 odd invitations, only 10 people attended. One of the participants was the deputy chairman of HIMSATAKI, which is the association of Indonesian migrants' placement agencies. I saw this guy a few months a go at the meeting held by ILO. We were socializing the first draft of this action plan, and this guy had made me go inferno.
Clearly for him, migrant workers are export commodity, because that is where he earns his income. And he will do anything to send as many migrants as possible, including granting requests to meet the requirements from the employers. He is the most bigotry persona I have ever encounter. "The HIV test is the absolute requirement from the employers in the destination countries. This is normal, because who wants to employ sick people let alone HIV-positive people? I bet you don't want to pay the salary if you know that your gardener or domestic helper has AIDS." he said in a very confident manner and loud voice. I almost jumped from my seat and was ready to attack him. And I was not the only one. A colleague from Solidaritas Perempuan was also appalled by his statement. Luckily, we had someone on the panel who later on dismissed his arguments. But nevertheless, the damage is done and I felt that he was such an ignorant deuce bag.
So, after that infuriating incident, we decided to invite him to our current meeting to give him a little bit of taste on the movement and struggle of migrant workers in Indonesia. I didn't expect him change all of the sudden, because I know, a person like him is suffering from severe knowledge lacking but dangerously think he knows everything. And the meeting begun.....
Listening to him talking and rambling about migration in Indonesia, I realize that his attendance is merely useless. He is a businessman, "selling" Indonesian workers overseas. And because of that, he wants only "good products" to be sent. He misinterpret the "Stop AIDS Now" slogan. "We are very aware of what AIDS bringing to people. That is why HIV testing is a mandatory testing for migrants. Not only that, but also TB, pregnancy and other illnesses. This is to stop AIDS now! I understand that slogan. We must stop HIV and AIDS from spreading. We understand about health, that is why all the medical check up, including HIV test took place. But actually, everything goes back to the individual moral. If the migrant workers are having good moral, they will not get infected by HIV. This is moral issue! We cannot control people's morality." he explained again eagerly. When he was talking, I can feel my blood is raising to my face. I felt all hot with anger. Unfortunately, due to my position as a consultant, I may not say anything. My job is take notes of all responses and suggestions (including the ones coming from that bigot!).
All of the meeting participants looked like they were biting their own tongue and tried to respond in a polite way. However, after colleague from Migrant Care address their feedback, this HIMSATAKI guy suddenly threw an invisible punch in a face through his question. "I don't understand. Migrant Care, SBMI. Who are you people? Who are you representing actually? You guys are busy criticizing us, criticizing the government. Showcasing testimonies and abuses experience. Where did you get that? I think you guys are pulling them out of thin air. We never heard any cases or testimonies that you presented." he was rambling. And sitting across to others, I could see very clearly that the face of the participants were tightened and froze while they were listening. I can almost be sure that my eyes were about to pop out! I think the question of "who are you" was more suitable to be thrown at him. The participants were former migrant workers, fighting for the rights of migrants and have been working at the grassroot level, collecting and collating testimonies for advocacy need. It was inferno!
As much as I was angry, and with my limited access to opinion, I tried to work my way in. I just stressed that the vast majority of HIV-positive people are healthy, productive and should not be restricted from working overseas. Just like me...
At the end of the day I was forced to realize that bigots DO exist (still) in Indonesia. I bet that guy does not even have adequate knowledge regarding HIV, let alone sexual and reproductive health. It is scary that people like him is in control and being controlled by the employers. I guess the homework is still there for us to finish.
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