Workers now free to set up their own union: Fahmi

Workers now free to set up their own union: Fahmi

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Manpower Fahmi Idris has promised
that from now on, workers will be allowed to set up their own
labor unions independent of the government-backed Federation of
All-Indonesia Workers Union (FSPSI).

"Workers are now free to set up their own unions provided
their establishment is in line with the legal and official pre-
requirements," Fahmi said in a discussion with about 300 workers
at his office here yesterday.

He promised that the government would also immediately ratify
the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention No. 87 on
workers rights, including on freedom of union.

The workers staged a demonstration at the manpower ministry
yesterday, demanding the revocation of a government regulation
that bans workers from setting up independent unions. They also
demanded that the government urge employers to stop dismissing
workers and that it puts an end to military interference in labor
disputes.

There are at least three labor unions in the country but,
under former president Soeharto, the government recognized only
the FSPSI. The other two, which over the years had been
struggling for recognition, are the Indonesian Prosperous Labor
Union (SBSI) led by Muchtar Pakpahan, and the Indonesian
Independent Union (SMI) chaired by HJC Princen.

Several developed countries, including the United States,
often criticize Indonesia for its poor labor conditions and poor
human rights record.

In 1993, the United States threatened to suspend trade
privileges worth about US$360 million a year to Indonesia for
failure to protect its workers' rights.

Fahmi warned that independent labor organizations should, as
prerequisites, base themselves on the 1945 Constitution and the
Pancasila state ideology. In addition, the unions should not have
any links with the banned Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

He said the emergence of new labor unions could improve
workers' bargaining position and their social welfare.

"And the government will no longer interfere in (independent)
labor unions' internal affairs," he promised.

Fahmi, also a former student activist, said the government
would be open to input and criticism from various quarters, as it
wished to develop good labor conditions in the country.

"The government will be open to workers' ideas in order to
improve their social welfare. The ministry is committed to
solving any labor disputes," he said.

However, he also warned workers against letting themselves be
exploited to further others' political interests.

He promised that the government would never again use military
interference in labor disputes, and would respect workers' right
to strike when fighting for their interests.

Asked about the possibility of reviewing the controversial
Labor Law No. 25/1997, Fahmi promised the ministry would heed all
aspirations in society.

"If workers want the law to be reviewed, the government will
do it, together with the workers," he said, citing that an
amendment of a law, however, would take months.

He also promised to study companies' financial status, and ask
those with adequate financial resources to raise workers' wages.

"All companies that are not badly affected by the economic
crisis will be asked to raise their workers' wages. Indeed, many
companies in the electronic, plantation and garment sectors have
actually raised their workers' wages," he said.

Fahmi told reporters after the discussion that he had asked
Martono, the inspector general at the ministry, to campaign
against corruption, collusion and nepotistic practices in the
ministry.

"This ministry must be clean of the three chronic diseases,
and the inspector general has been assigned to carry out the
mission," he said. (rms)