House questions civil servants' right to unionize

House questions civil servants' right to unionize

JAKARTA (JP): Several factions of the House of Representatives
questioned the controversial bill on labor unions that allows the
four-million civil servants to unionize and hold strikes.

Taufikurrahman Saleh, chairman of the Nation Awakening Party
(PKB) faction, said in the House's plenary meeting with Minister
of Manpower Bomer Pasaribu here on Thursday that the bill was
controversial as it allows civil servants to unionize while the
law on general election requires them to be neutral to ensure
their service to the public.

"Besides raising conflicting interests among civil servants,
civil servants will have their rights to strike. This means the
bill acknowledges their right to stay out of the work place and
cease public service," he said.

He warned the House and the government to be extra alert when
deliberating the bill.

Taufikurrahman said his faction felt that in general the
bureaucracy and civil service should remain neutral and free from
political interests.

"We can't imagine what would happen if teachers stop teaching
in protest of low payment, or medical staff in state-owned
general hospitals stopped giving treatment to their patients
unless their social welfare is improved," he said.

Rusjdi Hamka, chairman of the United Development Party (PPP)
faction, concurred and said the government will be in a difficult
position if it becomes involved in labor disputes with civil
servants.

"At least the government should prepare a mechanism to settle
disputes with civil servants which is not stipulated in the
bill," he said.

Bomer said after the plenary session that despite freedom of
association, civil servants should be barred from striking.

"Civil servants should channel their aspirations through
existing labor unions," he said, adding the government would
issue a regulation on unions among civil servants and their
rights.

Minister of Administrative Reforms Freddy Numberi also
expressed objection to the bill as it will cause numerous
difficulties for the government if civil servants are allowed to
establish their own union.

Meanwhile, other major factions called for minor changes to
the bill to ensure labor unions' independence, professionalism
and democracy.

R.K. Sembiring, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction, said in the plenary
session that the bill barely touches on issues such as a union's
independence, professionalism and democracy.

"Without being independent, professional and democratic, the
bargaining position of labor unions will remain weak and labor
exploitation will continue," he said.

He said all labor unions should take Pancasila and the 1945
Constitution as their legal basis.

Wahyudi Indrajaya, spokesman for the Reform faction, said the
bill should regulate labor unions' position in relation to the
employers' association and the government.

He also urged the government to be strict against employers
violating the bill and other labor laws respecting workers'
rights and providing protection for them.

Arsyad Sudiro, chairman of the Golkar faction, said labor
unions should be required to register themselves at the Manpower
Ministry, but this requirement should not be used by the
government to inhibit the growth of unions.

"The Manpower ministry should facilitate registration of
workers meeting all legal and administrative requirements," he
said.

So far, 26 labor unions have registered at the ministry. (rms)