Workers stage rallies to reject new decree<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Workers across the country stepped up their
\nprotest on Thursday to demand the annulment of ministerial
\ndecrees No. 78\/2001 and No. 111\/2001, along with the resignation
\nof Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Alhilal Hamdi.<\/p>\n
The latest demonstrations were part of the All-Indonesia
\nWorkers Union Federation (FSPSI) protest against the
\ncontroversial decrees which reduce severance and service payments
\nfor dismissed employees.<\/p>\n
In Surabaya, the capital of the province of East Java,
\nthousands staged a rally outside the office of the governor.<\/p>\n
Rally coordinator Haryadi demanded the previous decree, No.
\n150\/2000, be re-enforced. He said the two new decrees were issued
\nto replace the old one after there was collusion between the
\ngovernment and employers to disadvantage workers.<\/p>\n
\"It's a setback that we cannot ignore. The issuance of the
\ndecree also shows that Alhilal Hamdi does not share our pain,\"
\nHaryadi said.<\/p>\n
Five representatives of the protesters were met by the
\ngovernor's staff.<\/p>\n
Governor Imam Utomo told reporters that he refused to meet the
\nprotesters because he did not want to be trapped in two
\nconflicting interests, and also he could not directly give a
\nresponse to the workers' demands.<\/p>\n
\"Everything needs to be studied. This issue is interconnected
\nwith many parties, including the workers and employers. Their
\naspirations will be accommodated and will be conveyed to the
\nproper authorities,\" Imam told reporters.<\/p>\n
In Semarang, workers in their protest disparaged Alhilal Hamdi
\nwhom they claimed had only caused grievance for workers by
\nissuing the two decrees.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Central Java chapter of the All-Indonesia
\nWorkers Union Federation Tambah Sudjio was among the 66 union
\nrepresentatives who met with Central Java deputy governor Mulyadi
\nWidodo and local manpower agency officer Mudji Hartono.<\/p>\n
The union charged that the government had been biased toward
\nemployers who continue to refuse the climate of change
\nprecipitated in the reform era.<\/p>\n
\"I hope the Central Java governor and the provincial council
\nwill support our move because the two have a duty to defend and
\nprotect the people, including us, the workers,\" Mulyadi told
\nAntara.<\/p>\n
The head of the Semarang Manpower Agency, Mudji Hartono, said
\nthat the demands would be channeled to the ministry in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Separately in Biak, Irian Jaya, the local workers union also
\nappealed to the ministry to revoke the decree.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the local workers union, Anjang Nasaruddin,
\nsaid: \"We don't agree with the decrees because they do not side
\nwith the workers and they even prostrate our dignity.\"<\/p>\n
He said a letter of protest had been sent to the minister in
\nJakarta, asking for a decision to annul the decree. (nur\/emf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/workers-stage-rallies-to-reject-new-decree-1447893297",
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