By Kristen McCannon

Indonesia and the United States recently announced that the two countries will hold joint naval exercises near disputed territory in the South China Sea. Although Indonesia does not claim any of the disputed territory, President Joko Widodo has claimed that China’s claims over the territory violate international law. The United States has also voiced concern over China’s reclamation of reefs in the South China Sea.

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May 07, 2015

By Kristen McCannon

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) voiced concerns earlier this month about an Indonesian law requiring the use of local content in the production of smartphones. Only about one third of Indonesians own a smartphone, making Indonesia a potentially lucrative untapped market for Western technology companies such as Apple. However, USTR argued that Indonesia lacks a sufficient supply chain to produce high-quality devices with local content as required under the current law, hindering the ability of those companies to sell their products.

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March 06, 2015

By Huiyu Yin

If you are visiting Hong Kong for the first time, get prepared for this scene: foreign housekeepers in Hong Kong, known as “helpers” or “maids,” crowd the city’s parks, underpasses, overpasses and any public area every Sunday, which is their only day off. All the women dress up, bring food to share, play music, sing and dance. Despite sitting on cardboards and newspapers, they are truly celebrating a holiday of their own.

Foreign domestic workers make up around 3 percent of Hong Kong’s population. In 2013, there were about 320,000 maids in Hong Kong, of which 50 per cent were from the Philippines and 47 per cent from Indonesia. Incidents of abuse and torture at the hands of their employers are frequently reported and revealed in high-profile court proceedings. However, many more are hidden from public view. According to a survey conducted by Mission for Migrant Workers, a HK-based charity, in April 2013, of more than 3,00 maids, 58% reported suffering verbal abuse, 18% physical abuse and 6% sexual abuse.

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February 03, 2015

By Huiyu Yin

Hong Kong is home to hundreds of thousands of women from Indonesia and the Philippines who work as “helpers” in pursuit of meager wealth. They are an indispensable part of the city’s vibrant economy and society. But incidents of abuse and torture often stay hidden from public view.

Hong Kong's Mission For Migrant Workers (MFMW), a Hong Kong-based advocacy group, released a study last year based on interviews with more than 3,000 foreign domestic workers. According to the study, 58 % said they had experienced verbal abuse; 37% said they worked 16-hour days; 18% said they experienced physical abuse such as slapping and kicking; and 6% said they had been subjected to rape, touching or sexual comments in the homes of their employers. Some reported having to sleep in the bathroom or in the kitchen.

This issue has raised international concerns. CNN, WSJ and BBC have reported real-life tragedies of the Indonesian maids. It is believed that at the heart of the issue is Hong Kong law. The law requires domestic helpers to live with their employers. It also requires them to leave Hong Kong just two weeks after their employment ends, which often forces the domestic workers to endure abuses in order to hold onto their jobs and stay in the country.

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October 27, 2014