Indonesian worker trapped in Gaza back in Jakarta

Jakarta, - An Indonesian worker who was trapped in Gaza during the Israeli military aggression, Umi Saodah, has arrived back in Indonesia, safe and sound.

"Umi Saodah arrived in Jakarta at about 1.30 p.m from Cairo. The Indonesian government tried to bring Umi Saodah home as soon as the government found out that she was at the Saraya Reform and Rehabilitation Center, Palestine, but failed because of the conflict in the Gaza Strip," director for protection and legal affairs of Indonesian citizens at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Teguh Wardoyo, said here on Tuesday.

Umi Saodah left Jakarta for Jordan on March 25, 2000 but was in Jordan for only a week before being sent to Palestine to work with a Palestinian family.

"She received a salary only in the first two years of her nine-year employment period in Palestine," Wardoyo said.

Saodah's employer paid her only US$2,000 although she was entitled to US15,000 for the seven years she had worked without a salary. She was evacuated from Gaza to Cairo on Friday (Jan 23) and stayed at the Indonesian embassy in Cairo before being flown home safely.

In her evacuation, the Indonesian worked in close coordination with the Palestinian Red Cross. "I am so glad to be back and able to meet my mom. I never imagines I could return to Indonesia safely," Saodah said.

The Indonesian government through the Foreign Ministry's directorate for protection and legal affairs of Indonesian citizens then handed Saodah to her family. (www.antara.co.id)