Try Sutrisno wants SPSI to be more effective

Try Sutrisno wants SPSI to be more effective

JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno yesterday said
that All Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) must enhance its role in
promoting the welfare of its members.

In a speech closing a seminar on manpower, Try said the nation
will be faced with a number of labor problems as the economy
continues to grow. These problems, he said, will range from
unemployment to industrial disputes amidst increasing demands for
higher wages and better conditions.

"This calls for the SPSI to have a more effective role in
accommodating workers' aspirations and fighting for their
interests," he said.

SPSI, the only union recognized by the government to represent
workers in Indonesia, has been widely criticized for its failure
to fight for the interests of its members.

Try also called for a more effective way of mediating labor
disputes through the tripartite boards comprising representatives
of workers, employers and the government.

Yesterday's gathering was the last of seven seminars organized
by the Ministry of Manpower, which is currently drawing up a long
term strategy to tackle the country's manpower problems.

The seven seminars brought prominent speakers, Indonesians and
foreigners, to address various issues such as unemployment,
industrial relations, the national wage system, labor
legislation, training, productivity and a vision of the ideal
industrial society in Indonesia.

In his speech yesterday, Try also called on employers to pay
more attention to workers' welfare.

Employers should stop treating their workers simply as tools
of production but regard them as equal partners.

Workers are also entitled to enjoy the fruits of their labor
in accordance with the level of their contribution, he said.

He appealed to both employers and workers to strive to achieve
harmonious industrial relations.

He said many industrial disputes in the past turned violent,
causing huge material losses to the detriment not only of the
company but also the workers.

The closing ceremony, held at the Merdeka Selatan Palace, was
attended by Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief, Chairman of the
Association of Indonesian Employers (Apindo) Suratno, SPSI
Chairman Imam Sudarwo and senior officials of the Manpower
Ministry.

Try also warned that the unemployment rate in Indonesia is
likely to increase in the coming years because the country cannot
create job opportunities fast enough to accommodate the ever
increasing number of workers.

He said the size of the labor force is predicted to increase
from by 12.6 million from 69.1 million to 81.7 million in the
next five years, while the number of new jobs is estimated to
increase by only 11.9 million.

Official figures show that some 29 million people in
Indonesia, representing about 30 percent of its work force, are
out of job or underemployed. (rms)