Protect striking workers: Abdurrahman<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): Workers who go on strike should be accorded
\nprotection because they are exercising their legal rights,
\nprominent Moslem leader Abdurrahman Wahid says.<\/p>\n
Workers go on strike to press their demands and their action
\nis recognized by the law, Abdurrahman said at a seminar on
\nworkers' rights and obligations.<\/p>\n
The seminar held on Sunday night was organized by the
\nInstitute for Moslem Art and Culture.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman, known for his controversial ideas, said that
\nthere is a tendency for workers who go on strike to end up being
\nfired by the management. \"And it is no secret that in such
\ndisputes, the government always sides with the management.\"<\/p>\n
Although the law recognizes strikes as among workers' rights,
\nthe government abhors them because of their impact on the
\neconomy, and maintains that strikes should be used only as a last
\nresort.<\/p>\n
The Pancasila Industrial Relations concept promoted by the
\ngovernment emphasizes deliberation to reach consensus as a means
\nto resolve any conflict between workers and management.<\/p>\n
Over the last year, the number of strikes has eased because
\nthe government has clamped down hard on companies which fail to
\npay their workers the minimum wage.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman said new legislation should be introduced to
\nregulate and ensure that workers can exercise their right to
\nstrike without facing intimidation.<\/p>\n
He said this right is vital for workers pressing for better
\nremuneration. \"Without this right, it is impossible that the
\nworkers' welfare can improve,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He emphasized that the power to strike is one of the workers'
\nmain bargaining chips when they negotiate with their employers.<\/p>\n
Workers should also be allowed to organize by themselves
\nwithout undue pressure from anyone; not the government, and not
\neven the All Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI), he said.<\/p>\n
Putting forth still another controversial concept, Abdurrahman
\nsaid the ulemas (Moslem scholars) in Indonesia have virtually
\nignored the plight of workers in the country, even though the
\nreligion teaches of the need for all people, including workers,
\nto have the ability to lead a decent life.<\/p>\n
\"We have to question the purpose of the presence of these
\nulemas,\" said Abdurrahman, who chairs the Nahdlatul Ulama,
\nIndonesia's largest Moslem organization, which is active in
\npromoting Islamic education and welfare.<\/p>\n
Islam, he said, teaches that everyone is entitled to what is
\ndue to them, or at least the minimum basic amenities of life.
\n\"The religion teaches that we have to pay workers before their
\nsweat dries,\" he added.<\/p>\n
\"If an employer is denying his workers this, then he is acting
\nagainst the religion.\" (har\/emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/protect-striking-workers-abdurrahman-1447893297",
"image": ""
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