W. Java chapter deserts from Mukhtar's union

BANDUNG, West Java (JP): The Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI) is facing a rebellion after all members and executives in the union's West Java chapter declared they had deserted from the labor organization chaired by Mukhtar Pakpahan.

Aam Abdussalam, outgoing chairman of the West Java chapter of the SBSI, said in an open statement on Tuesday that their disappointment with Mukhtar's leadership was behind the decision to desert. The West Java claimed it has 1,500 members in seven branches.

"Mukhtar has frequently engaged in political maneuvering without taking into account the diversity and aspirations of the union's members. This has frequently had a negative impact on the union," he said. The defectors have set up a new organization, the Central Committee for Labor Solidarity (KPSB).

Aam attacked the labor union's active involvement in establishing the Indonesian Labor Party (PBN), given that Mukhtar had earlier maintained the SBSI would never turn into a political organization.

"SBSI should remain true to its original mission to represent workers and should not become involved in political activities," he said.

The launch of the party was badly timed, Aam said, adding that the "SBSI should use its human resources to help the organization adjust to working in a post-repressive situation."

Setting up the party was a waste of money and was only to keep up with a wave of other people who had already done the same, he said.

He said the SBSI had succeeded in raising awareness of the importance of organizing among workers. "Unfortunately the current system does not lend itself to strong unions supported by workers. The system developed by Mukhtar only built power around one point -- himself."

The prominence of SBSI has led to substantial offers of funding from foreign agencies, he said.

"However, management of funds is not transparent regarding their size and source. That includes foreign funds," Aam said, adding that too much foreign aid would make it difficult for SBSI to become independent. He said SBSI should be called a non- governmental organization rather than a labor union.

Aam also criticized "nepotism" in the union, saying that any such action was against the organization's statutes and the reform movement. He was speaking in reference to the union's treasurer, who is a close relative of Mukhtar's.

Mukhtar was not available for comment on Wednesday. (43)