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