SPSI pledges autonomy despite ties with Golkar<\/p>\n
CARINGIN, West Java (JP): The new chairman of the All
\nIndonesian Workers Union (SPSI), Bomer Pasaribu, vowed to make
\nthe only officially sanctioned labor union independent despite
\nits ties with Golkar.<\/p>\n
Bomer, who is a legislator for Golkar, the dominant political
\ngrouping, told The Jakarta Post he is committed to fighting for
\nthe interests of the workers.<\/p>\n
Speaking after his election during the union's congress, which
\nconcluded here last week, Bomer said he has spent a great portion
\nof his life for the workers' union.<\/p>\n
\"My background as part of the Golkar cadre should not be seen
\nas an obstacle,\" he said. \"Instead, it should be seen as a
\npositive contribution toward developing my career in the labor
\norganization.\"<\/p>\n
He said his political background does not necessarily mean
\nthat the union has failed to follow President Soeharto's
\ninstructions given while opening the congress last Wednesday. The
\nPresident said that SPSI should choose leaders from among the
\nworkers.<\/p>\n
The labor organization has often been criticized as
\nineffective and failing to represent the workers because many of
\nits officials are members of Golkar-affiliated organizations,
\nsuch as SOKSI and Kosgoro.<\/p>\n
The congress introduced significant reforms in the
\norganization, including the change in its structure -- from that
\nof a centralized organization into a federation.<\/p>\n
The union now has a presidium, a plenary board, as well as a
\ncentral executive board of 17 people. It used to have one
\nchairman, a number of deputies and a secretary-general.<\/p>\n
The gathering was closed by Vice President Try Sutrisno on
\nSunday.<\/p>\n
\"I am committed to fighting for workers' interests and I have
\nspent the larger part of my life for the organization,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Born in 1947 in Batang Toru, South Tapanuli, North Sumatra,
\nBomer has been a part of the workers' organization since its
\nestablishment in 1973.<\/p>\n
Bomer expressed his optimism that he would also be able to
\nforge strong cooperation with the other presidium members.<\/p>\n
\"The members are experienced elements of the organization, and
\nthey are all close to me,\" Bomer said. \"I hope the newly-
\nappointed executive board will be able to change and improve the
\norganization's image\".<\/p>\n
The other presidium members are Marzuki Achmad, Datuk Bagindo,
\nWilhelmus Bokha, Atika Karwa and Tosari Wijaya who is also
\nsecretary-general of the United Development Party (PPP).<\/p>\n
Women<\/p>\n
Bomer said the organization has started to pay greater
\nattention to women in the workplace. He cited the election to the
\npresidium of Atika Karwa, an activist from the forestry sectoral
\ntrade union, as proof of this commitment.<\/p>\n
The congress has decided to design special programs to empower
\nwomen and child workers, and to fight for their interests, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
In addition, the congress suggested that the executive board
\nestablish a special department for women in the organization.<\/p>\n
Bomer said a majority of workers in the forestry, textile,
\ngarment and food sectors are women and children, so it is only
\nfair that they obtained special attention during the congress.<\/p>\n
Bomer also said the reforms in SPSI would go beyond structural
\nchanges. The union will now strive harder to \"empower workers\"
\nduring the transitional phase of entering the industrialization
\nera and facing economic liberalization, he said.<\/p>\n
Structural reforms have already transformed SPSI into an
\numbrella organization for 13 sectoral trade unions. It is now led
\nby the presidium under the constant supervision of all members of
\nthe plenary board and the executive board to ensure more
\ndemocratic decision making, he said.<\/p>\n
The 13-member plenary board and 17-member executive board will
\nmeet annually to appraise the presidium's performance, and they
\nhave the authority to reprimand the leadership should they
\nperform ineffectively.<\/p>\n
Bomer said that in the future, all programs related to
\nindustrial relations will be handled by the 13 sectoral trade
\nunions.<\/p>\n
It is the sectoral unions which will be in the front line to
\nrepresent workers in industrial disputes with employers, he said.<\/p>\n
Contrary to the past system of leadership, the current
\nstructure enables trade unions at the level of industrial sectors
\nto design their own programs.<\/p>\n
\"The sectoral trade unions are also independent in
\nimplementing the organization's common mission,\" he said. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/spsi-pledges-autonomy-despite-ties-with-golkar-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}