Sectoral trade unions attempt to topple executive board

Sectoral trade unions attempt to topple executive board

JAKARTA (JP): Trade unions in all industrial sectors broke
ranks and withdrew from the Federation of All Indonesian Workers
Union (FPSPSI) yesterday in a bid to topple the federation's
central executive board.

Officials representing the 13 sectoral trade unions said in a
joint declaration they were withdrawing their membership from the
labor federation, and formed a new 13-member presidium to prepare
an extraordinary congress.

"The new presidium is given full authority to undertake the
federation's functions until an extraordinary congress is held to
elect a new executive board," said the declaration read by Ali
Samioen, chairman of the tourism trade union.

He said the sectoral trade unions launched the coup as they
had long been disappointed with the federation's executive board.
They believe it has failed to advance workers' aspirations.

Ali noted the extreme disappointment and sense of betrayal at
the executive board when it endorsed the controversial government
decision not to raise the monthly regional minimum wages in
April.

Such an endorsement was given despite the fact that the
sectoral trade unions had initially agreed to push for a 15
percent increase.

"What do we have the federation for if it won't fight for our
aspirations? They (the central executive board) have made many
mistakes causing a great loss to workers," he argued.

Minister of Manpower Fahmi Idris, who received the declaration
from trade union executives at his office yesterday afternoon,
said the government had to comply with the newly ratified
International Labor Convention No. 87 on freedom of association
and, therefore, could not interfere in FSPSI's internal affairs.

"The government is consistent in enforcing the ILO convention
and the labor law and respects the trade unions' freedom and
independence," he said.

FSPSI Chairman Datuk Bagindo condemned the coup against his
executive board and called it a rebellion.

He claimed that it was engineered by a third party to tarnish
FSPSI's image at home and abroad.

He contended that the federation's executive board would go
ahead with its leadership congress scheduled for Aug. 31 to elect
its new executives.

"If the sectoral trade unions are dissatisfied with the
federation's executives, they should change them by electing new
ones at the congress," he remarked. (rms)