Workers now free to set up their own union: Fahmi<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Manpower Fahmi Idris has promised
\nthat from now on, workers will be allowed to set up their own
\nlabor unions independent of the government-backed Federation of
\nAll-Indonesia Workers Union (FSPSI).<\/p>\n
\"Workers are now free to set up their own unions provided
\ntheir establishment is in line with the legal and official pre-
\nrequirements,\" Fahmi said in a discussion with about 300 workers
\nat his office here yesterday.<\/p>\n
He promised that the government would also immediately ratify
\nthe International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention No. 87 on
\nworkers rights, including on freedom of union.<\/p>\n
The workers staged a demonstration at the manpower ministry
\nyesterday, demanding the revocation of a government regulation
\nthat bans workers from setting up independent unions. They also
\ndemanded that the government urge employers to stop dismissing
\nworkers and that it puts an end to military interference in labor
\ndisputes.<\/p>\n
There are at least three labor unions in the country but,
\nunder former president Soeharto, the government recognized only
\nthe FSPSI. The other two, which over the years had been
\nstruggling for recognition, are the Indonesian Prosperous Labor
\nUnion (SBSI) led by Muchtar Pakpahan, and the Indonesian
\nIndependent Union (SMI) chaired by HJC Princen.<\/p>\n
Several developed countries, including the United States,
\noften criticize Indonesia for its poor labor conditions and poor
\nhuman rights record.<\/p>\n
In 1993, the United States threatened to suspend trade
\nprivileges worth about US$360 million a year to Indonesia for
\nfailure to protect its workers' rights.<\/p>\n
Fahmi warned that independent labor organizations should, as
\nprerequisites, base themselves on the 1945 Constitution and the
\nPancasila state ideology. In addition, the unions should not have
\nany links with the banned Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).<\/p>\n
He said the emergence of new labor unions could improve
\nworkers' bargaining position and their social welfare.<\/p>\n
\"And the government will no longer interfere in (independent)
\nlabor unions' internal affairs,\" he promised.<\/p>\n
Fahmi, also a former student activist, said the government
\nwould be open to input and criticism from various quarters, as it
\nwished to develop good labor conditions in the country.<\/p>\n
\"The government will be open to workers' ideas in order to
\nimprove their social welfare. The ministry is committed to
\nsolving any labor disputes,\" he said.<\/p>\n
However, he also warned workers against letting themselves be
\nexploited to further others' political interests.<\/p>\n
He promised that the government would never again use military
\ninterference in labor disputes, and would respect workers' right
\nto strike when fighting for their interests.<\/p>\n
Asked about the possibility of reviewing the controversial
\nLabor Law No. 25\/1997, Fahmi promised the ministry would heed all
\naspirations in society.<\/p>\n
\"If workers want the law to be reviewed, the government will
\ndo it, together with the workers,\" he said, citing that an
\namendment of a law, however, would take months.<\/p>\n
He also promised to study companies' financial status, and ask
\nthose with adequate financial resources to raise workers' wages.<\/p>\n
\"All companies that are not badly affected by the economic
\ncrisis will be asked to raise their workers' wages. Indeed, many
\ncompanies in the electronic, plantation and garment sectors have
\nactually raised their workers' wages,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Fahmi told reporters after the discussion that he had asked
\nMartono, the inspector general at the ministry, to campaign
\nagainst corruption, collusion and nepotistic practices in the
\nministry.<\/p>\n
\"This ministry must be clean of the three chronic diseases,
\nand the inspector general has been assigned to carry out the
\nmission,\" he said. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/workers-now-free-to-set-up-their-own-union-fahmi-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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