SBSI gets supports from students groups

SBSI gets supports from students groups

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI),
which has been struggling for official recognition, has won the
support of two prominent student organizations.

The union leaders yesterday met with representative of the
Indonesian Christian Student Movement (GMKI) and the Nationalist
Students Movement (GMNI) to synchronize their views in the
campaign to improve the conditions of workers in the country.

Both GMKI and GMNI are members of the so called Cipayung
Group, a loose umbrella organization which also includes HMI and
PMII (Moslem students) and PMKRI (Catholic students).

The other three student groups were invited but did not send
any representatives without any explanation.

SBSI has been challenging the government's policy of
recognizing the All Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) as the only
organization allowed to represent workers in negotiations with
management.

While not recognizing SBSI, the government has fallen short of
declaring it illegal although, on various occasions, it has
blocked SBSI meetings.

GMKI Chairman Idham Samudra said his organization fully
supports the struggle to establish unions independent from the
government, which are vital as the country moves forward with its
industrialization program.

"The workers have been isolated from development and oppressed
for far too long," Idham said. "They should be guaranteed with
jobs and better income and they must be allowed to organize
freely."

He said workers should fight alongside farmers, fishermen, and
the unemployed for better living conditions. "They are the main
agents of development and they are entitled to enjoy the fruits
of development as well."

GMNI Deputy Chairman Edward Tanari said a new paradigm was
needed to improve the condition of workers and their image.

"The new paradigm includes respecting all workers' rights
stipulated in the Constitution and ILO conventions," he said.

Edward also said Indonesia needs more than one union to
reflect the pluralism existing in society.

He said the government's emphasis on attaining high economic
growth has been at the expense of workers' welfare.

Something has got to change now, he said.

SBSI Deputy Chairman Rekson Silaban said the union would
continue to operate with or without government recognition.

"Recognition is necessary but it is not absolute," he said.
"SBSI will continue to exist because workers need the union to
help them fight for their rights."

SBSI Chairman Muchtar Pakpahan was still in Medan yesterday
undergoing police questioning for his alleged role April's
workers riots in the North Sumatra capital.

Muchtar had been named as a suspect although he was not
arrested, according to SBSI executives in Jakarta. (rms)