Local workers to get international support<\/p>\n
Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
International organizations will continue to intervene in
\nlocal labor disputes until Indonesia has a sound conflict
\nresolution mechanism, observers said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Arist Merdeka Sirait and Apong Herlina argued that as a member
\nof the United Nations, Indonesia was bound by International Labor
\nOrganization (ILO)'s conventions and fundamental principles on
\nlabor issues, including workers freedom of association.<\/p>\n
They pointed out that the government should first reform the
\nCommittee for the Settlement of Labor Disputes, a tripartite
\nforum which comprises representatives of the government, the
\nemployers and the workers.<\/p>\n
Sirait and Apong were commenting on the Minister of Manpower
\nand Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea's remark on Friday that \"the
\ngovernment needs no pressures from inside or outside the country
\nin the settlement of labor disputes.<\/p>\n
Jacob made the statement following recommendations from the
\nILO's committee for freedom of association to the government
\nfollowing complaints filed by the International Union of Food,
\nHotels and Restaurants (IUF), which embraces the Shangri-La Hotel
\nIndependent Workers' Union (SPMS).<\/p>\n
The complaints was made to help the workers who were laid off
\nby Jakarta's Shangri-la Hotel settle their conflict with the
\nhotel management which they see as repressive to the workers'
\nunion.<\/p>\n
Sirait told The Jakarta Post that it would be difficult for
\nthe workers to win their case through the committee, as in most
\ncases, the committee would just order the employer to pay
\ncompensation to the workers to settle any dispute.<\/p>\n
\"There is no legal certainty here in the settlement of labor
\ndisputes caused by the repression of the worker's union. Even if
\nthere was, the workers would still lose the case because there is
\nno guarantee of their freedom of association and rights to
\ncollective bargaining with their employers.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, it's acceptable if the workers brought their
\nproblems to an international forum sympathetic to their cause,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Apong said that Jakarta used double standards in its
\ninterpretation of intervention by international organizations.<\/p>\n
\"The government frowns on foreign intervention if it concerns
\nthe welfare of workers and the people, the environment or human
\nrights issues. But it welcomes intervention by other institutions
\nif it concerns money and state budget,\" she told the Post on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
Apong explained that within the existing mechanism to settle
\nlabor disputes the committee's decision can be sanctioned by the
\ndistrict court to ensure its execution.<\/p>\n
\"In accordance with Law No. 22\/1957, any parties who ignore
\nthe execution of the committee's final decision were liable to
\nthree-months imprisonment, meaning that none of the conflicting
\nparties could file further complaints with the administrative
\ncourt.<\/p>\n
She rejected the idea of establishing a special labor court
\nsaying there would be no guarantee that workers would win their
\ncase as only employers have access to the evidence and have the
\nopportunity to intervene in the judicial system.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/local-workers-to-get-international-support-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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