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)