Local labor unions to help protect RI workers overseas<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Labor Exporting Companies
\n(Apjati) and 18 labor unions signed on Friday an unprecedented
\nmemorandum of understanding (MOU) to provide protection and
\nimprove the bargaining position of Indonesian workers overseas.<\/p>\n
Apjati chairman, Abdullah Umar, said that with the agreement
\nthe labor unions would be allowed to represent workers and
\nprospective Indonesian migrant workers in negotiations with labor
\nexporters and employers overseas.<\/p>\n
"This agreement benefits not only workers but also labor
\ncontractors who have been blamed in problematic cases involving
\nworkers," he said after the signing ceremony here on Friday.<\/p>\n
He added that labor unions should also be given responsibility
\nfor providing training programs for workers.<\/p>\n
The unions include the Federation of All Indonesian Workers
\nUnions (SPSI), the Reformed SPSI, the Indonesian Muslim Labor
\nUnion (Sarbumusi), Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI),
\nIndonesian Moslem Workers Union (SPMII) and the Confederation of
\nIndonesian Labor Unions (Gaspermindo).<\/p>\n
Muchtar Pakpahan, a labor activist and SBSI chairman, said
\nthat the SBSI was planning to assign four labor activists to
\nSaudi Arabia to handle cases involving Indonesian workers in
\nMiddle Eastern countries.<\/p>\n
"We have forged cooperation with the Confederation of Mideast
\nLabor Unions to provide protection for Indonesian migrant workers
\nunder the ILO convention. And we have reached an agreement that
\nallows our workers in that region to be associate members of the
\nconfederation," he said.<\/p>\n
Muhammad Rodjak, Reformed SPSI chairman, said his labor union
\nwould collaborate with the Ministry of Manpower and Apjati to
\nprovide protection for workers from the time of their departure
\nuntil their arrival back home.<\/p>\n
"We will fight against labor brokers who have frequently
\nextorted money from prospective Indonesian overseas workers and
\nmake sure that labor exporters stick to official procedures," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Rodjak added that numerous workers were in trouble or involved
\nin disputes with their employers because they lacked the
\nnecessary information and skills prior to their departure.<\/p>\n
Asked to comment on the number of labor unions involved,
\nRodjak said this was expected to create better competition in
\nattracting prospective workers as members and providing services
\nto them.<\/p>\n
"To me, it is better for all migrant workers from Indonesia to
\nset up their own union overseas to improve their bargaining
\nposition," he said. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/local-labor-unions-to-help-protect-ri-workers-overseas-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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