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)