RI defends record on labor rights<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A senior Ministry of Manpower official has
\ncalled the United States \"stubborn\" for continuing to criticize
\nJakarta's record on workers' rights, even after being given an
\nelaborate explanation.<\/p>\n
Suwarto, the Director General for Industrial Relations and
\nLabor Standards, said the criticisms, stated by a senior State
\nDepartment official during his visit here last week, showed that
\nthe United States is trying to impose its values on Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"The United States, whose liberal democracy has been
\nestablished for more than two centuries, seems determined to
\nimpose its system on Indonesia,\" Suwarto said on Saturday. \"It is
\nignoring the progress that Indonesia has made under its own
\nsystem.\"<\/p>\n
John Shattuck, the assistant secretary for the Bureau of
\nDemocracy, Human Rights and Labor, said at the conclusion of his
\nvisit last week that the United States remained concerned about
\nlabor conditions in Indonesia despite some progress.<\/p>\n
Shattuck's visit and subsequent remarks have been criticized
\nby several members of the House of Representatives, who view the
\ncomments as an attempt to interfere in Indonesia's domestic
\naffairs.<\/p>\n
Shattuck, during his stay, received a lengthy explanation
\nabout the labor situation in Indonesia from Minister of Manpower
\nAbdul Latief.<\/p>\n
\"But he seemed stubborn and would not accept the government's
\nexplanation,\" Suwarto said of the American guest.<\/p>\n
Washington will never be satisfied with the labor conditions
\nin Indonesia as long as it uses its own yardstick to evaluate the
\nprogress of other countries, he said. \"The United States should
\nrespect the sovereignty of other countries and appreciate the
\nadvances they have made in promoting democracy.\"<\/p>\n
He defended the government's policy of recognizing the All
\nIndonesian Workers Union (SPSI) as the only organization allowed
\nto represent labor in negotiations with management. Suwarto also
\ninsisted that this did not mean there is no freedom of
\nassociation for Indonesian workers. \"It was the workers' wish to
\nestablish SPSI as the umbrella organization for 13 sectoral
\nunions.\"<\/p>\n
SBSI<\/p>\n
The government refuses to recognize the Indonesian Prosperous
\nLabor Union (SBSI), he said, because it was not established by
\nworkers.<\/p>\n
The SBSI was established in 1992 to challenge the government's
\none-union policy amidst discontent with the SPSI's ability to
\npromote workers' interests. SBSI chairman Muchtar Pakpahan is now
\nin prison in Medan, North Sumatra, for organizing a worker
\ndemonstration that turned into a riot last year.<\/p>\n
Suwarto explained that Indonesia had a bitter experience with
\nthe presence of numerous labor unions in the 1960s, when, he
\nsaid, they were exploited by political forces.<\/p>\n
One can understand the government's policy towards SBSI by
\nlooking at the history of the Indonesian labor movement, he said.<\/p>\n
The director general stressed that the government has long
\nbeen committed to improving the welfare of workers.<\/p>\n
Various policies introduced to further this objective have
\nnothing to do with American pressure and threats, he said.<\/p>\n
\"The two things must be separated clearly. Labor conditions
\nwill be improved regardless of the threats and it is the U.S.
\ngovernment's right to give the trade facilities or not,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Washington has threatened to revoke Indonesia's trade
\nprivileges under the Generalized System of Preferences unless
\nJakarta improves its labor record. (rms)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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