'SPSI has done little for workers': Imam<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI), long
\ncriticized for allegedly doing little in defending workers'
\nrights, will start today its fifth congress.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto will open the gathering at the State Palace
\nthis morning, while Vice President Try Sutrisno is scheduled to
\nclose it on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Outgoing chairman Imam Sudarwo is preparing to give an account
\nof his five-year tenure to the congress and take his leave by
\ntaking a critical view of the organization.<\/p>\n
He told The Jakarta Post yesterday that workers should be
\ngiven their rights to assemble and be allowed to join other labor
\nunions. His stance is contrary to that of the government, which
\nhas repeatedly stated that workers should choose SPSI because it
\nis the sole recognized worker union.<\/p>\n
"We can no longer press workers to join the union because it
\nhas proven to be less than effective in representing workers," he
\nsaid in an interview. The union "has done only little for workers
\nsince its establishment in 1973", he said.<\/p>\n
As an example of the union's poor performance, he said that of
\n40,000 companies employing 25 workers and more, only 25 percent
\nhave established collective labor agreements with their workers.
\nThe agreements are meant to better protect workers' rights.<\/p>\n
In addition, out of approximately 33 million paid workers in
\nIndonesia, only 11 percent have joined the union, he said. "In
\nfact, this lack of professionalism on the part of SPSI is the
\nreason why many workers want to set up their own labor unions,"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
"This is a tragedy and a challenge as well for SPSI," he said.
\n"Workers are reluctant to join SPSI because they know they will
\ngain nothing from it."<\/p>\n
Imam said workers should be allowed to form other labor unions
\nbecause they have the right to do so. These rights, he said, are
\nguaranteed by the 1945 Constitution and International Labor
\nOrganization Convention No. 98 that has been ratified by
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
"Indonesia wouldn't be able to compete in the international
\nmarket unless it has workers with high productivity," he said,
\nadding that workers need their rights to assemble in order to
\nboost their productivity.<\/p>\n
The International Labor Organization and several other
\norganizations, such as the International Confederation of Free
\nTrade Unions, have criticized Indonesia's labor and human rights
\nrecords several times.<\/p>\n
The government has persistently refused to recognize the
\nIndependent Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI), chaired by
\nMuchtar Pakpahan, and the Independent Labor Union (SBM), led by
\nhuman rights activist H.J.C. Princen.<\/p>\n
The government only allows workers to set up units of SPSI at
\nwork places.<\/p>\n
Imam said he hoped the congress would result in programs to
\nbetter protect workers, as well as make the organization more
\nprofessional and independent.<\/p>\n
The congress, to be held in Caringin, West Java, is also
\nexpected to see workers unions at the level of industrial sectors
\nplaying a greater role in representing workers.<\/p>\n
The workers union is expected to focus its attention on
\norganizational matters, such as establishing policies, and leave
\nthe matters of industrial relations to the unions in the
\nindustrial sectors.<\/p>\n
SPSI Deputy Secretary General Wilhelmus Bokha said the
\ncongress should be able to develop strong leadership from among
\nthe workers.<\/p>\n
"SPSI doesn't need politicians to lead it. It needs labor
\nactivists," he said.<\/p>\n
Bokha, one of nine candidates nominated for the presidium,
\nalso said the labor organization needs professional figures who
\nunderstood labor matters, including workers rights and their role
\nin supporting the economic development.<\/p>\n
When asked about his personal plans, he said he had no
\nambition to lead the organization. However, "If I were elected, I
\nwould work hard to develop concrete programs to improve workers'
\nwelfare," he said. (rms)<\/p>",
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