CAUSEWAY BAY | HONG KONG - Unable to stand the behavior of her employer who often got angry because of trivial matters, Indah was desperate to run away from her employer's house on Cheung Chau Island. He also chose to be an overstayer and just signed up with his friends in the Sham Shui Po area.
"I don't know, overstaying is against the law here," said Indah, when met at the office Dompet Dhuafa Hong Kong (DDHK), Causeway Bay, Thursday (7/11/2019).
The trivial things that he meant, such as misplacing items, running out of vegetables and being late in informing the employer, leaving the house without bringing a cellphone and then being unable to be contacted, until late pouring tea into a glass. “He gets angry often because of things that don't make sense. When it comes to work, he (the employer) says it's good, ”said this woman from Banyuwangi, East Java.
Indah has only worked for 1,5 months at her employer. Prior to working in Cheung Chau for an employer who lived with his grandmother and daughter, he also worked for another employer.
"On November 28 (2019) tomorrow, I even have a year in Hong Kong," said Indah.
Indah left the employer's house on August 28. On October 14, he turned himself in to the Hong Kong Immigration office. He also reported to the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) Hong Kong.
About a month or so overstayed, the 40-year-old woman was worried about continuing to live in a rented room at Sham Shui Po, amidst the majority of Indonesian citizens who are also overstayers. “Their life is too free. Many come home at night. Since living there my eyes and body have been sore. Cigarette smoke was rising all the time. That makes me afraid and can't stand it, ”said the woman who was born in December 1979.
"That also motivated me to report and submit to the Indonesian Consulate and Hong Kong Immigration," he said.
After reporting to the Indonesian Consulate General, since October 14, Indah was advised by the KJRI officers to stay at the DDHK shelter, while waiting for the legal administration process for her return to the country. "I would like to thank DDHK for providing shelter and helping with the process so I can go home soon," said this mother of 2 children.
Indah doesn't know when to go home. On Monday (11/11/2019), he still has to undergo a trial at the Shatin Magistracy Court. The day after, Tuesday (12/11/2019), he had to come to the Hong Kong Immigration office in Ma Tau Kok, to collect a passport and show a plane ticket back to Indonesia.
"The immigration officer said I didn't need the detention process, because it was only a month's overstay," said Indah.
Ticket Purchased by the Consulate General
The General Manager of DDHK, Imam Baihaqi, explained that his party helped provide shelter, food and assistance while Indah was undergoing the surrender process and returning to the country. For the handling of the case, this was carried out jointly by DDHK, Christian Action, and the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong.
“Initially, Mrs. Indah went to the Indonesian Consulate. Then the KJRI called me, leaving Ms. Indah because the KJRI shelter was full. After that we help assist so that the overstay problem is resolved. We take them to Christian Action, to the police station and the Immigration office, ”said Imam. "For airplane tickets, I received confirmation, the Indonesian Consulate General will help buy them," added Imam Baihaqi. [DDHKNews]
