From exploitation to leadership: Yana's fight for justice

© PERTIMIG

© PERTIMIG

“I faced a lot of threats because I reported a recruitment agency to the police, but I will continue to fight—for my justice and for other fellow migrant domestic workers, so they don’t experience the same.”

Yana, a 30-year-old migrant domestic worker from Nganjuk, East Java, Indonesia, never imagined she would become an advocate for workers’ rights. In 2020, her small business collapsed after she was scammed, leaving her in deep debt. Determined to support her family, she decided to migrate to Malaysia for work.

A promise broken

In February 2024, Yana met Elisa, a friend she knew online, who offered her a job in a Malaysian factory. Yana paid IDR 7,500,000 in recruitment fees. Elisa arranged her documents and sent her to a training center called VIM for two months.

But the promised factory job never materialized.

“They offered me a job as a domestic worker in Singapore, but the process was too long. I couldn’t wait. I had no choice but to accept a job as a domestic worker in Malaysia,” Yana said.

She was promised MYR 1,800 per month. It sounded like a lifeline. Instead, it became a nightmare.

Exploitation and isolation

On 14 August 2024, Yana arrived in Penang. The agency assigned her to care for an elderly person for MYR 1,500 per month without a day off, a phone, prayer time or the ability to speak to anyone. Her phone and passport were confiscated.

“I worked from 6:15 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. After just two days, I fell sick. I survived on two pieces of bread a day.”

She was moved to another employer, where conditions worsened. She had to stay awake all night or wake up at least seven times. After four days, she collapsed from exhaustion.

“The agency took me to their parents’ house, where I worked for 20 days. I was very stressed. They took my phone again. I couldn’t contact anyone.”

When she reached out to the recruitment agency in Indonesia, they demanded a penalty of IDR 25,000,000. The Penang agency asked for MYR 5,000. She had received no salary.

“The agency cheated me. I had no money and no way out.”

Finding strength in solidarity

The agency disappeared and returned only her phone. While waiting and feeling trapped, Yana attended a PERTIMIG community gathering. PERTIMIG is an Indonesian migrant domestic workers’ organization. There, she learned about safe migration and her legal rights.

“I realized what I experienced and what others face is a violation of our rights. I decided to return to Indonesia and report the agency.”

Before leaving Malaysia, Yana was referred to PERTIMIG. With support from IDWF, Tenaganita and the ILO, she met local leaders Nasrikah and Bariyah in Penang, who helped her access further support.

She traveled to Kuala Lumpur, where PERTIMIG, IDWF and Tenaganita helped her contact the Indonesian Embassy. They provided temporary shelter, food and transport for her meetings with officials.

“With their emotional and social support, I felt confident to pursue my case. I finally had a safe space to share my story.”

Leading by example

On 2 December 2024, Yana returned to Indonesia. With PERTIMIG’s help and connections through IDWF and the ILO, she linked with INFEST in Yogyakarta and filed a police report under Indonesia’s Anti-Trafficking Law. Her case is ongoing.

“I’m deeply thankful for all the help I received. I will continue to fight—for myself and for others.”

Yana’s journey is far from over, but her courage is already making a difference. Her voice is helping change systems, proving that no migrant worker should stand alone.