SBSI blames military for workers' riots

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)

Unemployment -- Page 2