Beheading leads to labor export moratorium

JAKARTA, June 23 (UPI) -- Indonesia, reacting to the beheading of an Indonesian maid in Saudi Arabia, Thursday placed a moratorium on sending new migrant workers to that country.

The announcement in Jakarta by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the moratorium would take effect Aug. 1, the Jakarta Post reported.

It was to protest the execution of Ruyati binti Satubi, the report said. The president reached his decision after a Cabinet meeting

"The moratorium will remain in place until Indonesia and Saudi Arabia reach an agreement that guarantees the protection of Indonesian workers (in Saudi Arabia) and their rights," Yudhoyono told a news conference where he was joined by his top ministers.

Ruyati binti Satubi, 54, was beheaded Saturday after being sentenced to die for the stabbing death of the wife of her Saudi employer. The Post said there had been earlier reports the maid had been abused.

CNN reported the worker was beheaded without the Indonesian government being informed first about it. Indonesia said it was going to ask for clemency. The report said Saudi Arabia had since apologized for not giving the prior notice.

Separately, CNN reported Indonesian authorities are trying to save another Indonesian woman worker. The authorities said they had arranged for the payment of more than $500,000 as compensation to the family of a Saudi man the woman said she killed in self-defense alleging the man had tried to rape her.