U.S. sees progress on Indonesian labor front<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The United States, which is currently reviewing
\nthe trade privileges it grants to Indonesia, says that Jakarta
\nhas made some progress on the question of workers' rights.<\/p>\n
The U.S. embassy said in a brief statement yesterday that its
\ngovernment is continuing to hold dialogs with Jakarta on the
\nquestion of whether or not to extend the Generalized System of
\nPreferences (GSP) to Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"We do not expect any announcement to be made while this
\ndialog is continuing," it said. "We note there has been some
\nprogress since last January but as the Indonesian government
\nacknowledges, more needs to be done."<\/p>\n
The United States had been expected to make its decision by
\nAug. 15 when the current six-month review ends, but Indonesian
\nofficials now say that Washington may have decided to postpone
\nits ruling pending the enactment of the new regulations regarding
\nthe GSP in September.<\/p>\n
Officials privately said that they expect a favorable ruling
\ngiven repeated pronouncements by Washington of the increasing
\nimportance of Indonesia to U.S. trade ties.<\/p>\n
The first six-month review ended on Feb. 15 at which time
\nWashington decided to grant another six months.<\/p>\n
Washington has threatened to cut Indonesia out of its GSP, a
\nfacility which grants duty free status to selected products,
\nunless the Indonesian government improves the condition of
\nworkers in the country, particularly on the questions of wages,
\ntheir right to organize and also the employment of child workers.<\/p>\n
Some US$650 million worth of Indonesian exports to the United
\nStates, or 14 percent of the total, are entitled to the facility.<\/p>\n
Over the past year, the government has hiked the minimum wage
\nlevels, revoked a decree allowing companies to summon the
\nmilitary during strikes and adopted several other measures
\ndesigned to improve the workers' welfare.<\/p>\n
The government however continues to insist that only unions
\naffiliated with the All Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) are
\nallowed to represent workers in disputes with management.<\/p>\n
Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief yesterday said the
\ngovernment continues to furnish Washington with all the
\ninformation regarding the conditions of workers in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Asked about Indonesia's position on the matter, Latief, who is
\nhimself a former businessman, said; "Of course we want the GSP
\nfacility to be continued."<\/p>\n
He added however that the nation would be prepared if
\nWashington decided to end the GSP.<\/p>\n
Asked whether his recent trip to the United States had
\nanything to do with the GSP negotiations, he replied: "I went
\nthere for a medical check-up." (emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-sees-progress-on-indonesian-labor-front-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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