Korpri and trade unions
Korpri and trade unions
From Media Indonesia
Convention No. 87/1984, ratified through Presidential Decree
No. 83/1998, contains, among other things, the status of workers
and individual businesspeople. Regardless of their status, they
have the right to establish and follow whatever kind of
organization they choose in line with a government regulation on
the establishment of trade unions.
The existence of the Indonesian Civil Servants corps (Korpri)
which is outlined in Presidential Decree No. 26/2000 on the
ratification of Korpri's articles of association, prepared by the
fifth national discussion, is the best alternative either for
civil servants or for employees of state-owned enterprises (BUMN)
and regional enterprises. The reason is if they join a trade
union, there are many weaknesses and deficiencies either in
respect to the regulations and legislations or the system or
structure of the trade union.
Government regulations no. 5 and no. 12 are to secure the
neutrality of civil servants who are forbidden to become members
or leaders of political parties, while the fostering of the
corps' morale, ethical codes and discipline are outlined in
Article 30 of Law No. 43/1999 on the principles of officialdom.
Viewed from their functions and duties, Korpri and trade
unions have quite different visions, missions and perceptions.
The civil servants for example, dedicate themselves to the nation
with the main target of creating political stability which can
provide security to the state and people. Whereas the functions
and duties of trade unions are closely related to the relations
between employees and employers as employee salaries, corporation
structure and management are organized by the companies.
But Korpri has to be thankful as it is stipulated in the
trade union draft, Article 2, that the organization of the trade
union does not apply to civil servants, as in this trade union
draft workers are defined as employees of companies and
individual businesspeople.
VALERY E. SETIAWAN
Bengkulu