SBSI vows to continue labor struggle

SBSI vows to continue labor struggle

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI)
marked its fourth anniversary yesterday promising to continue the
fight to further the interest of Indonesian workers.

SBSI chairman Muchtar Pakpahan however admitted that the
struggle has become more difficult in the face of growing
pressure from the government on the union's activists and rank
and file.

In a speech at the ceremony held at the SBSI's new
headquarters in Tebet, South Jakarta, Muchtar called on the
union's 60,000 members to focus on solidarity, stressing that
this was the best weapon in the workers' struggle.

He also underlined the need for SBSI to seek greater
acceptance in society, stressing that there was no reason for the
government or the military to oppose its existence.

Around 50 people, mostly union executives, but also a number
of foreign guests, were present.

SBSI was established in 1992 to challenge the government's
policy of allowing only one union to represent the entire
industrial work force in Indonesia. The government has refused to
recognize SBSI, although it has not outlawed the organization
explicitly.

The union has been called various names by the government,
Muchtar said. "SBSI has been called a non-governmental
organization, the Muchtar Pakpahan Group, a communist movement,
an `organization without form', and other such things."

The union's membership was 125,000 at one time, but it
declined as more and more members quit, telling stories of
intimidation by officials and employers.

Muchtar pointed out that over 5,000 workers had been fired in
the past four years because of SBSI membership.

He said SBSI at one time boasted 97 branches throughout the
country but the number had now dwindled to 50, and of these, only
17 were actually active.

SBSI suffered a major setback in 1994 when it was blamed for
organizing a massive workers' riot in Medan, North Sumatra, which
led to the death of a businessman and destructions.

Muchtar was tried and convicted in connection with the riot,
but the verdict was later overturned by the Supreme Court.

He recalled yesterday that after the riot, 243 SBSI activists
were arrested, 89 of whom were subsequently jailed.

Muchtar said that he had been summoned to appear at Medan
court later this month to face the same charges. The government
prosecutors, he added, claim to have found new evidence
connecting him to the 1994 riot.

In connection with its fourth anniversary, SBSI has drafted
proposed labor legislation which it hopes to present to the House
of Representatives.

Muchtar's latest brush with the authorities was after his
March trip to Portugal during which he endorsed Lisbon's proposal
for a referendum in East Timor.

He said he was summoned to the Attorney General's Office on
Wednesday to account for his statement.

Separately, however, the Chief of the Intelligence Operation
of the Attorney General's Office, Gatot Hendrarto, denied that
Muchtar was questioned over his Portuguese visit.

"We had a friendly chat and lunch together," he told reporters
yesterday.(rms/imn)