MPR reminded to heed workers' aspirations

MPR reminded to heed workers' aspirations

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's only sanctioned labor union called
on the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) yesterday to draw up
State Policy Guidelines which prioritized workers' welfare and
the creation of new jobs.

Datuk Bagindo, the chairman of the Federation of All-
Indonesian Workers Union, said in a statement that the union was
confident the people's representatives in their 11-day convention
would heed the aspirations of Indonesian workers and incorporate
them into their decisions.

"We also entrust to you the election of the 1998-2003
president and vice president, in accordance with the existing
mechanism," Datuk said.

Regarding the next cabinet, the union leader said it should be
filled with people with leadership skills and the ability to deal
with the economic crisis.

"The cabinet members should be able to abolish the high-cost
economy, oligopoly monopolies, and nepotism, in order to improve
the welfare of the people, especially workers," Datuk said.

"It is in our interest that modern technology be applied
properly so that it does not rob us... of employment," he said.

The chairman instructed members and workers across the country
to help preserve unity and maintain order so that the people's
representatives could conduct their deliberations successfully.

He also warned workers against rumors that might provoke
unrest. "Try to maintain your productivity so that the economic
crisis can be turned into the start of the path to a better
future," he said. (swe)