Unions must register with the government<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government has confirmed that workers can
\nestablish their own unions but on condition that the unions be
\nregistered with the Ministry of Manpower.<\/p>\n
Director General of Industrial Relations and Labor Standards
\nMohammad Syaufii Syamsuddin said Minister of Manpower Fahmi Idris
\nhas issued a decree in compliance with the International Labor
\nOrganization's Convention No. 87 on freedom of association for
\nworkers.<\/p>\n
Indonesia ratified the convention in May only days after
\nPresident B.J. Habibie took over from Soeharto.<\/p>\n
\"The decree stipulates that all company level labor unions and
\nexisting labor unions are obliged to register with the Ministry
\nof Manpower,\" Syaufii told The Jakarta Post yesterday.<\/p>\n
Previously, workers could only form unions at company level
\nand had to join one of the 14 trade unions under the government-
\nrecognized All-Indonesia Workers Union Federation (FSPSI).<\/p>\n
Under the regulation, the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union
\n(SBSI), which has organized several massive labor protests in the
\npast, would be given recognition. SBSI is chaired by Muchtar
\nPakpahan.<\/p>\n
Syaufii said under the new decree, all unions must re-register
\nwith the ministry.<\/p>\n
The government would recognize only trade unions which were
\nset up purely by workers. Unions cannot be formed based on
\npolitical parties, religions, ethnic background or gender, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The new decree also allows all unions to form federations and
\nconfederations in order to strengthen their bargaining power.<\/p>\n
The decree raises the possibility of more than one union
\noperating in a company. In such a case, the union that has the
\nlargest membership will be allowed to represent workers in
\nnegotiations with the management.<\/p>\n
Unions not registered with the government would be barred from
\nnegotiations.<\/p>\n
New law<\/p>\n
Syaufii said the Ministry of Manpower is currently drafting a
\nnew law on labor unions to strengthen the legal basis for labor
\norganizations in the future.<\/p>\n
He called on the public, particularly workers, to submit their
\nthoughts and ideas on the legislation, to prevent controversies
\nlater on.<\/p>\n
He said the legislation would essentially be drafted around
\nthe latest ministerial decree.<\/p>\n
Legislation on union affairs is mandated by the 1997 Manpower
\nLaw, he added.<\/p>\n
Deliberation of the Manpower Law was riddled with controversy
\nlast year, particularly over allegations of a massive payoff to
\nmembers of the House of Representatives to ensure smooth passage.
\nThe law was subsequently enacted and is due to come into effect
\non Oct. 1. (rms)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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