Workers join protest against R&D policy

Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Several labor unions representing thousands of workers from both private and state companies joined protests against releasing debtors from possible criminal charges, saying that they might resort to a nationwide strike or sue the government to annul the decision.

Labor unions of state utility companies, such as telecommunications company PT Telkom and PT Indosat, electricity company PT PLN, oil and gas company Pertamina and railway company PT KAI, as well as unions from state- and private-owned banks and even a union representing workers from Japanese companies, signed a petition on Tuesday against the government's release and discharge, or R&D, policy.

Nazir Syarief, representing labor unions at state companies like PT Indosat and PT Telkom, said the petition was the first step in a campaign to revoke the R&D policy.

"Our last resort would be to cease services -- no power, no long-distance calls, even if it's just for an hour," Nazir said.

Under the R&D policy, ex-bankers who have admitted to abusing about US$10 billion in state funds could avoid legal prosecution if they repay some of the money and other debts to the government.

Union members, however, said the policy smacked of injustice. Last week, non-governmental organizations threatened to sue President Megawati Soekarnoputri if she insisted on releasing debtors from possible criminal charges.

"The government should instead make a list of rich corruptors and force them to return the money," Nazir said.

Coordinator of the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW), Teten Masduki, who helped arranged the press meeting for the petition signing, said the petition would enhance the campaign against the R&D policy.

"We may not be staging mass demonstrations on the streets, but we'll make sure the government hears our voice," he said.

Teten said labor unions signing the petition represented around 200,000 workers nationwide.

Tuesday's petition signing comes on the heels of nationwide demonstrations against the government's move to raise fuel, electricity and telephone charges.

Udi Bowo, representing PLN's labor union, concurred and said the government should reverse its policy of raising utility prices as "our workers are suffering quite a lot from the government's policies."

ICW described the decision as unpopular, but one that went ahead despite public protests.

"They (the government) forgive debts, raise utility charges, and sell state assets," Teten said.

Iskandar Sonhadji, a legal expert at ICW, said the labor unions and several non-governmental organizations have considered filing a class action lawsuit or calling a judicial review to annul the R&D policy.

Labor unions joining the anti-R&D protest marks a shift from their previous concerns on the sale of state companies. Meanwhile, it also signals a more unified front amid growing protests against President Megawati over what they described were her insensitive policies.