Indonesian activists begin hunger strike to protest delay in bill that protects domestic workers

Activists began a hunger strike to protest the Indonesian parliament's delay in passing a bill to protect domestic workers. The hunger strikes last from sunrise to sunset.

"The hunger strike reflects the situation of many domestic workers in this country who don't have protection from the government," Anggraini said. "We call on lawmakers to immediately pass the domestic worker protection bill into law. The more delays, the more workers who will experience violence and discrimination."

In Jakarta, about 40 fasting activists from the Domestic Workers Alliance sat under tents in front of the parliament compound. They held clocks, baby pacifiers, napkins and other cleaning equipment, as well as chains they said symbolized the challenges that domestic servants face in Indonesia.