ILO to help with labor reform in Indonesia

ILO to help with labor reform in Indonesia

JAKARTA (JP): The International Labour Organization (ILO)
yesterday pledged to help Indonesia reform its labor laws to meet
international standards and principles.

Visiting ILO Deputy Director General Heribert Maier and
Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief signed an agreement under which
the Geneva-based organization will provide expertise as Indonesia
revamps its labor legislation to ensure better distribution of
wealth.

The events of the past few years in Indonesia have shown the
evolution of industrial relations has not kept pace with the
rapidly developing economy and industry, Maier said during the
signing ceremony.

"There is a clear need for Indonesia to elaborate a
comprehensive labor code," he said adding that reforms are a pre-
requisite for the success of Indonesia's Second Long-Term
Development Plan.

The ILO will provide policy advice, technical cooperation
projects and analytical studies and information.

Maier arrived here on Sunday for a five-day visit to preside
over a series of activities organized by the ILO representative
office in Jakarta in connection with the organization's 75th
anniversary. ILO is a UN agency whose aim is to establish
international labor standards to improve worker's welfare.

With a permanent staff of over 3,000, the ILO currently has
the membership of 169 states. Indonesia became a formal member of
the organization in 1950.

Minister Latief said after the signing that the government is
concerned with the consistent use of policies on workers' rights.
"That's why we've invited the expertise of the ILO to support
us," he said.

Latief said the ILO programs must conform to local labor
conditions, stressing the need to protect national values.

"As a developing country facing some very unique problems, I
hope the ILO and the developed countries can understand the
obstacles we are facing," he said.

Maier said a team of ILO lawyers who came here to analyze and
make proposals for yesterday's agreement found Indonesia in
urgent need of a comprehensive labor code.

"The labor code is such that it is made-up of pieces rising
out of the past 30 to 40 years ... Some of the elements are
conflicting (with each other)," he said.

Both Latief and Maier agreed that Indonesia is in a
transitional stage and the remnants of colonial law help create
problems.

Maier said President Soeharto, whom he met earlier in the day
has also given his blessing. "President Soeharto has confirmed
his commitment to harmonizing industrial relations."

SBSI

Speaking during a seminar lunch yesterday, Maier explained
that one of the fundamental requirements of the industrial
relations being sought was the recognition of trade unions.

"The right of workers and employers to establish trade unions
and employers organizations of their own choosing," Maier said is
essential.

It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that
trade union representatives are democratically elected, he said.

But the ILO deputy director was careful when asked to comment
on the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI), the independent
organization which is challenging the government's policy of only
allowing its All Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) to represent
workers in disputes with managements.

Maier, who was sitting next to Latief, said the ILO would not
interfere on the issue, stressing that it was for the Indonesian
government to resolve. "It's not a problem for our organization."

Maier admitted that the ILO maintains contact with several
labor organizations but stressed that it is the government, and
not the ILO's job, to grant official recognition.(07)