U.S. deplores increase of Pakpahan's sentence
U.S. deplores increase of Pakpahan's sentence
JAKARTA (JP): The United States yesterday deplored the lengthening of the jail term of labor activist Muchtar Pakpahan, saying it will consider the verdict in assessing Indonesia's labor record.
A statement issued by the U.S. embassy said that Pakpahan, whose jail term was lengthened from three years to four years by a high court, should not have been held responsible for the unintended violence during workers rallies in Medan, North Sumatra, last April.
"The U.S. government deplored the initial conviction of Mr. Pakpahan and believed the initial sentence was unwarranted. We similarly deplore the lengthening of that sentence," the statement said.
Pakpahan was convicted by the Medan district court in October of inciting labor demonstrations held in Medan to demand the daily minimum wage be raised from Rp 3,200 ($1.50) to Rp 7,000 and official recognition of the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union that he founded.
The rallies turned violent when the workers attacked dozens of shops, factories and cars. One businessman of Chinese descent was killed before security forces managed to restore order.
Pakpahan, who was in Semarang when the incident occurred, appealed, only to have his sentence extended.
The U.S. warned that the Pakpahan case was an element that would be taken into consideration in evaluating Indonesia's overall record on worker rights.
"The U.S. continues to support the right of workers to organize, to form free association and to bargain collectively without interference from government or military authorities," the statement said.
The U.S. administration which has conducted an evaluation on the labor conditions in Indonesia is to decide on whether or not it will extend the provision of trade facilities, given under the Generalized System of Preference, to the country.
The Indonesian government has repeatedly said that it is not afraid of losing the facilities if Washington insists on linking them with domestic issues such as labor records.
Jakarta has been determined to improve labor conditions without external interference. (rms)