SBSI blames military for workers' riots

JAKARTA (JP): The Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI) is blaming last month's racial violence in Medan, North Sumatra, largely on the military's mishandling of a tense situation.

Announcing its preliminary findings on the incident, the union said yesterday the rioting was fueled by long-standing labor dissatisfaction.

Agus Tiana, an SBSI investigator, said thousands of workers were enraged by the security forces who blocked their way to the governor's office for no apparent reasons on April 15.

"Security officers arrested and beat up several protesting workers," he said.

The security forces, he added, made another blunder when they herded the furious protesters back into the industrial center instead of to a soccer field nearby where the mob could have been more easily controlled.

In the industrial estate, the protesters then vandalized factories, destroyed cars and killed an ethnic Chinese businessman.

The SBSI's has also alleged that businessmen took revenge against workers and that security authorities are covering up some of the facts.

"The tight security measures at the Medan Industrial Estate and the authorities' control of labor activism have prevented us from digging for more information," Agus said.

SBSI, which has been fighting for official recognition, has been accused by the military of instigating the Medan riots.

Three of its activists have been detained in connection with the rioting in Medan and its surroundings.

Union activists have openly taken responsibility for mobilizing the tens of thousands of protesters, but rebutted charges that they spread the anti-Chinese sentiment.

"We don't provoke anyone," said SBSI activist Tohap Simanungkalit. "What we do is to help workers raise their concerns."

The investigation also found that last month's strikes in Pematang Siantar, Tanjung Morawa and Binjai in North Sumatra were unrelated to those in Medan.

Rival gangsters

He said in Medan the workers demanded pay hikes, investigation into the mysterious death of labor activist Rusli, freedom to join any union and a probe into an alleged rape of a laborer by her employer. Labor actions in other areas pressed for higher wages only.

The investigation also found "strong indications" that rival gangsters may have been involved in the rioting.

Agus said it is a fact that each company have some sort of cooperation with organized crime. He said gang wars for control over companies are common in Medan.

As for the racial overtones, Agus said workers used the mass action to vent their anger at the minority Chinese who dominate the economy and treat local workers "unfairly".

"Anti-Chinese sentiment is strong among workers," he said. He added that the investigation team and the authorities have yet to identify who made and circulated anti-Chinese leaflets.

SBSI expressed concern over the growing indications that Medan businessmen will take revenge against their striking workers.

In the latest case, 400 workers of PT AKM in Medan took a protest to the provincial legislative council on Monday after their employers canceled its decision to raise their daily wages from Rp 3,200 from Rp 2,800, Agus said. (pan)

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