SBSI supporters demand release of their leader
JAKARTA (JP): The government in an unexpected move yesterday agreed to meet with representatives of the outlawed Indonesian Prosperous Workers Union (SBSI) who were demanding the release of their chairman Muchtar Pakpahan.
A seven-person delegation from SBSI who visited the Ministry of Manpower was met by Director for Industrial Relations Support Sutrisno for a one hour discussion on the fate of Muchtar, who was arrested in connection with his alleged role in a workers' riot in Medan, North Sumatra, last April.
The ministry officials however were adamant that they had no role in, nor any influence over, Muchtar's arrest, stressing that the case is now being handled by the police and the court.
"We consider Muchtar's case as strictly criminal and unrelated to workers' matters," Director General of Industrial Relations Suwarto told The Jakarta Post by phone last night.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Muchtar is scheduled for arraignment at the Medan District Court next week.
"We are aware the ministry has no immediate relation to Muchtar's detention. However, we ask them to at least consider discussing the matter with the related government agencies," Satrio told reporters after the meeting.
The government has declared SBSI as an illegal organization and in the past has refused to meet with its representatives to discuss labor affairs.
Businessman
SBSI has been blamed for fanning the workers' riot in Medan last April which left one businessman dead and dozens of factories damaged.
As the meeting proceeded, a group of workers and activists from the Solidarity for the Defense of Workers' Rights staged a protest outside the gates of the ministry building.
Some 50 protesters took part in singing national songs and waving banners and posters with inscriptions such as "ABRI is the people's army," "ABRI should defend laborers." ABRI is the Indonesian acronym for the Armed Forces.
About 50 police in anti-riot gear, including long rattan sticks, watched them closely, preventing them from entering the building's grounds. No physical clashes occurred.
Satrio, while encouraged that he was allowed to meet with the government officials, lamented their hands-off attitude. "We only want them to show a sign of goodwill, but even this they couldn't provide."
During what Satrio considered a one-hour session of "friendly talks," the freedom to speak and assemble was also discussed.
Although both parties agreed to the concept, which is also stated in Article 27 of the 1945 Constitution, "there was apparently a difference of interpretation," he said.
The government, he said, recognizes the 13 sectorial unions under the banner of the officially-recognized All Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) as 13 separate organizations.
"We don't see it that way, because they are all clearly under one roof, which is SPSI," Satrio pointed out.
With this understanding, the delegation asked the officials to legitimize SBSI so it could complement SPSI. "We are ready to cooperate, because our movement is a peaceful one," he added.
Suwarto countered that the Constitution should not be the only basis to justify the establishment of an organization.
"There are many other laws below the constitution that we must not forget," he said, adding that SPSI's establishment also had a long historical background and the national consensus to unite workers at that time should also not be forgotten. (pwn)