Better labor legislation

Better labor legislation

A few days ago, the government, represented by the Minister of
Manpower Abdul Latief, submitted a draft labor law in a plenary
session of the House of Representatives. The event should be
noted as several new directives of fundamental significance are
contained in the document.

We must also note that parts of the draft have been criticized
by certain parties -- including the All-Indonesia Workers Union
(SPSI) and the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute
(YLBHI) -- for being against workers' interests.

Critics have proposed changing some articles considered to
provide inadequate protection for workers and apply to such
concerns as the right to go on strike, the freedom of association
and the ease with which employers are allowed to shut down their
businesses.

One of the better provisions contained in the draft concerns
the establishment of a mechanism for arbitrage, mediation and
trial to resolve labor disputes. This is an important step
forward which is expected to dispense better guarantee justice in
cases of conflict between workers and employers.

But we fully realize that it is not easy to draft a law that
will protect workers and respect the interests of their employers
at the same time. Nevertheless, better worker legislation is
urgently needed considering the rapid pace of industrialization
in this country.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta