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)