SBSI gets supports from students groups<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI),
\nwhich has been struggling for official recognition, has won the
\nsupport of two prominent student organizations.<\/p>\n
The union leaders yesterday met with representative of the
\nIndonesian Christian Student Movement (GMKI) and the Nationalist
\nStudents Movement (GMNI) to synchronize their views in the
\ncampaign to improve the conditions of workers in the country.<\/p>\n
Both GMKI and GMNI are members of the so called Cipayung
\nGroup, a loose umbrella organization which also includes HMI and
\nPMII (Moslem students) and PMKRI (Catholic students).<\/p>\n
The other three student groups were invited but did not send
\nany representatives without any explanation.<\/p>\n
SBSI has been challenging the government's policy of
\nrecognizing the All Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) as the only
\norganization allowed to represent workers in negotiations with
\nmanagement.<\/p>\n
While not recognizing SBSI, the government has fallen short of
\ndeclaring it illegal although, on various occasions, it has
\nblocked SBSI meetings.<\/p>\n
GMKI Chairman Idham Samudra said his organization fully
\nsupports the struggle to establish unions independent from the
\ngovernment, which are vital as the country moves forward with its
\nindustrialization program.<\/p>\n
"The workers have been isolated from development and oppressed
\nfor far too long," Idham said. "They should be guaranteed with
\njobs and better income and they must be allowed to organize
\nfreely."<\/p>\n
He said workers should fight alongside farmers, fishermen, and
\nthe unemployed for better living conditions. "They are the main
\nagents of development and they are entitled to enjoy the fruits
\nof development as well."<\/p>\n
GMNI Deputy Chairman Edward Tanari said a new paradigm was
\nneeded to improve the condition of workers and their image.<\/p>\n
"The new paradigm includes respecting all workers' rights
\nstipulated in the Constitution and ILO conventions," he said.<\/p>\n
Edward also said Indonesia needs more than one union to
\nreflect the pluralism existing in society.<\/p>\n
He said the government's emphasis on attaining high economic
\ngrowth has been at the expense of workers' welfare.<\/p>\n
Something has got to change now, he said.<\/p>\n
SBSI Deputy Chairman Rekson Silaban said the union would
\ncontinue to operate with or without government recognition.<\/p>\n
"Recognition is necessary but it is not absolute," he said.
\n"SBSI will continue to exist because workers need the union to
\nhelp them fight for their rights."<\/p>\n
SBSI Chairman Muchtar Pakpahan was still in Medan yesterday
\nundergoing police questioning for his alleged role April's
\nworkers riots in the North Sumatra capital.<\/p>\n
Muchtar had been named as a suspect although he was not
\narrested, according to SBSI executives in Jakarta. (rms)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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