'Nation of coolies' no longer? Indonesia calls time on maids working abroad

By Jewel Topsfield and Karuni Rompies
Updated June 10 2016 - 5:53pm, first published 4:09pm
In 2014, Indonesian migrant workers sent home an estimated $US8.55 billion in remittances. Photo: Alex Hofford
In 2014, Indonesian migrant workers sent home an estimated $US8.55 billion in remittances. Photo: Alex Hofford
Indonesians working abroad as maids encounter exploitation and abuse. Here they learn self-defence on their day off in Victoria Park, Hong Kong. Photo: Alex Hofford
Indonesians working abroad as maids encounter exploitation and abuse. Here they learn self-defence on their day off in Victoria Park, Hong Kong. Photo: Alex Hofford
The Indonesian government hopes to improve conditions for its domestic workers abroad. Photo: Alex Hofford
The Indonesian government hopes to improve conditions for its domestic workers abroad. Photo: Alex Hofford
An Indonesian domestic helper sleeps on the street in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Photo: Alex Hofford
An Indonesian domestic helper sleeps on the street in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Photo: Alex Hofford
Indonesian domestic helpers gather on their day off in Hong Kong. Photo: Alex Hofford
Indonesian domestic helpers gather on their day off in Hong Kong. Photo: Alex Hofford
Religious Indonesian domestic helpers improvise a women-only seating area in Hong Kong's Victoria Park on their day off. Photo: Alex Hofford
Religious Indonesian domestic helpers improvise a women-only seating area in Hong Kong's Victoria Park on their day off. Photo: Alex Hofford
Indonesian domestic helpers on their day off in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Photo: Alex Hofford
Indonesian domestic helpers on their day off in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Photo: Alex Hofford
Nurjanah, who works as a maid in Hong Kong, helps a colleague with makeup on their day off. Photo: Alex Hofford
Nurjanah, who works as a maid in Hong Kong, helps a colleague with makeup on their day off. Photo: Alex Hofford
Indonesian domestic helpers practice martial arts training in Victoria Park, Hong Kong, on their day off. Photo: Alex Hofford
Indonesian domestic helpers practice martial arts training in Victoria Park, Hong Kong, on their day off. Photo: Alex Hofford
Indonesians working abroad as maids encounter exploitation and abuse. Here they learn self-defence on their day off in Victoria Park, Hong Kong.  Photo: Alex Hofford
Indonesians working abroad as maids encounter exploitation and abuse. Here they learn self-defence on their day off in Victoria Park, Hong Kong. Photo: Alex Hofford
Indonesian domestic helpers practice martial arts training in Victoria Park, Hong Kong, on their day off.  Photo: Alex Hofford
Indonesian domestic helpers practice martial arts training in Victoria Park, Hong Kong, on their day off. Photo: Alex Hofford

Jakarta: On March 19, 2014, 18-year-old Indonesian maid Dewi Sukowati had the temerity to serve her employer a glass of water on a plastic tray instead of a silver tray.

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