Workers told not to be exploited for political goals<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A top labor organizer told all laborers they
\nshould resist being manipulated by opportunists from certain
\npolitical parties.<\/p>\n
\"We thank those who struggle for improvement in the welfare of
\nlaborers and encourage them to cooperate with us in line with the
\ncountry's existing labor system,\" Imam Soedarwo, chairman of the
\ngovernment-sponsored union, said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Imam said many people have recently tried to exploit and
\nmanipulate workers to achieve political goals. \"Such an activity
\nwill only disadvantage laborers,\" Imam said.<\/p>\n
He was referring to recent labor protests and demonstrations
\nwhich he said would not be fruitful unless the protests were
\norderly and based on the current labor system, which advocates
\nharmonious relations between employers and employees.<\/p>\n
Imam said that demonstrations seem to be a good way to
\ntemporarily solve the problem, \"but that they should be carried
\nout in an orderly and constitutional way,\" he added.<\/p>\n
The All Indonesia Workers' Union (SPSI), which Imam chairs,
\nhas often been targeted by laborers and human rights activists
\nfor being too slow in responding to workers' aspirations,
\nincluding complaints about laborer rights violations by certain
\ncompanies.<\/p>\n
Calls for dissolving SPSI were also made by angry workers
\nduring the protests. \"Yelling out the dismissal of SPSI is
\nuseless, because it is only through a congress that the Union
\ncould be dissolved,\" Imam disclosed, adding that SPSI will meet
\nin November.<\/p>\n
Protesters have complained about layoffs without proper
\nseverance pay, low pay and demanded shorter working hours.<\/p>\n
The protesters, believing that SPSI ignores their complaints
\nand sides with employers, have filed complaints with the Human
\nRights Body and the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
Workers have also formed other unions such as
\nthe controversial Indonesian Prosperous Workers Union and the
\nIndonesian Labors Association.<\/p>\n
Touching on allegations that SPSI was slow in responding to
\nlaborers' demands and is inefficient, Imam said that SPSI always
\nlooked for a peaceful and legal means to solve a labor dispute.<\/p>\n
\"There is too much burden on SPSI to do things overnight,\" he
\nstated, stressing that his organization only functioned at the
\nplant level.<\/p>\n
\"SPSI is always confronted with challenges,\" he went on,
\nadding that the union couldn't fulfill workers' demands without
\ncompromising with companies.<\/p>\n
Founded in 1973, SPSI is designed to unite workers throughout
\nthe country and encourage them to concentrate on improving their
\nsocial welfare, not political aspirations.<\/p>\n
SPSI currently operates in 11,800 of the 42,000 companies in
\nIndonesia. Under existing regulations, companies employing 25
\npeople or more must have a branch of the union.<\/p>\n
Imam said that SPSI will continue to increase its plant level
\nactivities despite some companies' fear of \"unfavorable
\nexposure\" by the workers.(03)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/workers-told-not-to-be-exploited-for-political-goals-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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