Police, ILO issue dispute guidelines

JAKARTA: Police officers in the country now have guidelines on how to approach situations stemming from labor disputes, such as strikes.

The National Police and the International Labor Organization (ILO) jointly launched on Tuesday a book of guidelines in a ceremony attended by Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Fahmi Idris, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, Executive Director of ILO Kari Tapiola and U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia B. Lynn Pascoe.

Da'i said the guidelines would prevent the police from interfering in labor disputes as had happened in the past, when the police became involved in negotiations between labor and industry executives.

"This book essentially ensures the police won't intervene in (dispute) cases. But, it does not mean that they (the police) can be ignorant about violations of the law," he said, explaining that the police must fully comprehend issues related to labor disputes.

The ILO said in a statement that the Ministry of Transmigration and Manpower, labor organizations and business associations had been consulted during the preparation of the guidelines. -- JP