Workers seek humane approach to solving labor conflicts<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Workers are seeking a humane approach where a
\nbetter relationship between them and employers could effectively
\nsolve problems related to their welfare and productivity.<\/p>\n
"Treat us humanely and not just as coolies who make your
\ncompanies run. We need to have a conducive relationship with the
\ncompanies' management. The problem of wages comes second," Dolfus
\nfrom the Labor Solidarity for Struggle said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
He said that problems related to the lack of a humane approach
\ncould lead to strikes, which would worsen the company-worker
\nrelationship. He also blamed the government and the legislators
\nwho lacked control over the employers.<\/p>\n
His colleague, chairperson of the labor union in a textile
\ncompany in Tangerang, West Java, Siti Nurrfiqoh, said that the
\nMinistry of Manpower failed to monitor whether a company's
\npolicies were in compliance with existing labor laws.<\/p>\n
"Does the government know that some of us are paid far below
\nthe monthly minimum wage or are not allowed to take menstruation
\nleave? Even if they know, the officials have done nothing to
\nremedy the situation," she charged.<\/p>\n
The current labor law allows female workers to take three days
\nleave during menstruation.<\/p>\n
The two expressed their thoughts on Saturday, during a
\ndiscussion on the issue of criminalizing labor, held by the
\nmanpower ministry, the House of Representatives, the police and
\nthe Indonesian Companies Association (Apindo).<\/p>\n
The event was held three days before the International Labor
\nDay.<\/p>\n
In most cases, workers stage demonstrations or hold strikes to
\ndemand a wage increase or to obtain the facilities they deserve
\nas regulated by the government in the manpower social insurance
\n(Jamsostek).<\/p>\n
The official minimum monthly wage for Jakarta and its
\nsurrounding metropolitan areas is Rp 426,250 (US$35.5). Yet, many
\nlaborers claimed that they received far below the minimum wage
\nand that they often suffered arbitrary treatment from the
\ncompanies. They also complain companies often repress the
\nworkers, especially when there is no union to represent them.<\/p>\n
Dolfus and Siti shared the opinion that the lack of government
\ncontrol over the company-worker relations often resulted in the
\ncriminalizing of the laborers as a shock therapy to silence the
\nother workers.<\/p>\n
"Instead of negotiating, they charge us with violating the
\nlaw," Dolfus said.<\/p>\n
"They use either hoodlums or the police to stop us. The law is
\non the companies' side."<\/p>\n
Siti added that the police would come fully armed to disperse
\nthe workers and not allow them to negotiate with the management,
\nthreatening that the workers could be charged with
\nantisubversion.<\/p>\n
The latest case was the attack on PT Kadera AR Indonesia
\nworkers in Pulogadung, East Jakarta, by an armed mob earlier this
\nmonth. The incident claimed the lives of two workers.<\/p>\n
According to the 2000 Union Workers Law, the management's
\nfailure to pay workers' salaries on time, the use of
\nintimidation, and campaigning against a labor union could be
\ncategorized as violation of the law and perpetrators could be
\ncharged. But as yet no employer has been charged with violating
\nthe law.<\/p>\n
Both the head of Aspindo's legal division Hasanuddin Rachman
\nand the National Police's assistant to the public guidance Lt.
\nGen. Deddi G. said that the main concern of the government was to
\nsave the industrial sector.<\/p>\n
"We need to uphold the law against any measures that can
\nendanger the productivity of our 10,000 members," Hasanuddin
\nsaid. (bby)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/workers-seek-humane-approach-to-solving-labor-conflicts-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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