No need for unions at state firms

No need for unions at state firms

JAKARTA (JP): Labor unions are unnecessary at state-owned
companies because labor disputes there are solved by the civil
servants corps, according to an official.

The director for labor standards of the Ministry of Manpower,
Sabar Sianturi, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that there is no
need to establish units of the All Indonesian Workers Union
(SPSI) at the 186 state-owned companies because they already have
the government-sponsored civil servants corps, known as KORPRI.

SPSI is the only government-recognized labor union in
Indonesia.

He said the corps is responsible for the solution of all labor
disputes at state-owned companies throughout the country.

Commenting on the recent complaint by workers of a state-owned
bus company, who said that corps did not favor them in disputes
with the management, Sianturi pointed to the 1971 Presidential
Decree which stipulates that all workers in state-owned companies
are automatically members of the civil servants corps.

"Employees of state-owned companies don't therefore need any
other organization to fight for their rights," he said.

He said that if the workers are disappointed by the corps in a
dispute, they can register their complaints with the local office
of the Ministry of Manpower.

Some 22 people representing more than 12,000 employees, mostly
drivers, of the state-owned bus company PPD went to the
independent Indonesian Prosperous Union (SBSI) on Saturday to
seek help to improve their uncertain status and poor working
conditions.

The representatives told SBSI leaders that KORPRI has never
defended their interests in any dispute with the management.

"In fact I have never received any report of PPD workers'
grievances," he said.

According to Sianturi his office would be informed if there is
any case filed at the local office of Ministry of Manpower. (03)