ILO to help with labor reform in Indonesia<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The International Labour Organization (ILO)
\nyesterday pledged to help Indonesia reform its labor laws to meet
\ninternational standards and principles.<\/p>\n
Visiting ILO Deputy Director General Heribert Maier and
\nMinister of Manpower Abdul Latief signed an agreement under which
\nthe Geneva-based organization will provide expertise as Indonesia
\nrevamps its labor legislation to ensure better distribution of
\nwealth.<\/p>\n
The events of the past few years in Indonesia have shown the
\nevolution of industrial relations has not kept pace with the
\nrapidly developing economy and industry, Maier said during the
\nsigning ceremony.<\/p>\n
"There is a clear need for Indonesia to elaborate a
\ncomprehensive labor code," he said adding that reforms are a pre-
\nrequisite for the success of Indonesia's Second Long-Term
\nDevelopment Plan.<\/p>\n
The ILO will provide policy advice, technical cooperation
\nprojects and analytical studies and information.<\/p>\n
Maier arrived here on Sunday for a five-day visit to preside
\nover a series of activities organized by the ILO representative
\noffice in Jakarta in connection with the organization's 75th
\nanniversary. ILO is a UN agency whose aim is to establish
\ninternational labor standards to improve worker's welfare.<\/p>\n
With a permanent staff of over 3,000, the ILO currently has
\nthe membership of 169 states. Indonesia became a formal member of
\nthe organization in 1950.<\/p>\n
Minister Latief said after the signing that the government is
\nconcerned with the consistent use of policies on workers' rights.
\n"That's why we've invited the expertise of the ILO to support
\nus," he said.<\/p>\n
Latief said the ILO programs must conform to local labor
\nconditions, stressing the need to protect national values.<\/p>\n
"As a developing country facing some very unique problems, I
\nhope the ILO and the developed countries can understand the
\nobstacles we are facing," he said.<\/p>\n
Maier said a team of ILO lawyers who came here to analyze and
\nmake proposals for yesterday's agreement found Indonesia in
\nurgent need of a comprehensive labor code.<\/p>\n
"The labor code is such that it is made-up of pieces rising
\nout of the past 30 to 40 years ... Some of the elements are
\nconflicting (with each other)," he said.<\/p>\n
Both Latief and Maier agreed that Indonesia is in a
\ntransitional stage and the remnants of colonial law help create
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
Maier said President Soeharto, whom he met earlier in the day
\nhas also given his blessing. "President Soeharto has confirmed
\nhis commitment to harmonizing industrial relations."<\/p>\n
SBSI<\/p>\n
Speaking during a seminar lunch yesterday, Maier explained
\nthat one of the fundamental requirements of the industrial
\nrelations being sought was the recognition of trade unions.<\/p>\n
"The right of workers and employers to establish trade unions
\nand employers organizations of their own choosing," Maier said is
\nessential.<\/p>\n
It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that
\ntrade union representatives are democratically elected, he said.<\/p>\n
But the ILO deputy director was careful when asked to comment
\non the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI), the independent
\norganization which is challenging the government's policy of only
\nallowing its All Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) to represent
\nworkers in disputes with managements.<\/p>\n
Maier, who was sitting next to Latief, said the ILO would not
\ninterfere on the issue, stressing that it was for the Indonesian
\ngovernment to resolve. "It's not a problem for our organization."<\/p>\n
Maier admitted that the ILO maintains contact with several
\nlabor organizations but stressed that it is the government, and
\nnot the ILO's job, to grant official recognition.(07)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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