Workers seek humane approach to solving labor conflicts

Workers seek humane approach to solving labor conflicts

JAKARTA (JP): Workers are seeking a humane approach where a
better relationship between them and employers could effectively
solve problems related to their welfare and productivity.

"Treat us humanely and not just as coolies who make your
companies run. We need to have a conducive relationship with the
companies' management. The problem of wages comes second," Dolfus
from the Labor Solidarity for Struggle said on Saturday.

He said that problems related to the lack of a humane approach
could lead to strikes, which would worsen the company-worker
relationship. He also blamed the government and the legislators
who lacked control over the employers.

His colleague, chairperson of the labor union in a textile
company in Tangerang, West Java, Siti Nurrfiqoh, said that the
Ministry of Manpower failed to monitor whether a company's
policies were in compliance with existing labor laws.

"Does the government know that some of us are paid far below
the monthly minimum wage or are not allowed to take menstruation
leave? Even if they know, the officials have done nothing to
remedy the situation," she charged.

The current labor law allows female workers to take three days
leave during menstruation.

The two expressed their thoughts on Saturday, during a
discussion on the issue of criminalizing labor, held by the
manpower ministry, the House of Representatives, the police and
the Indonesian Companies Association (Apindo).

The event was held three days before the International Labor
Day.

In most cases, workers stage demonstrations or hold strikes to
demand a wage increase or to obtain the facilities they deserve
as regulated by the government in the manpower social insurance
(Jamsostek).

The official minimum monthly wage for Jakarta and its
surrounding metropolitan areas is Rp 426,250 (US$35.5). Yet, many
laborers claimed that they received far below the minimum wage
and that they often suffered arbitrary treatment from the
companies. They also complain companies often repress the
workers, especially when there is no union to represent them.

Dolfus and Siti shared the opinion that the lack of government
control over the company-worker relations often resulted in the
criminalizing of the laborers as a shock therapy to silence the
other workers.

"Instead of negotiating, they charge us with violating the
law," Dolfus said.

"They use either hoodlums or the police to stop us. The law is
on the companies' side."

Siti added that the police would come fully armed to disperse
the workers and not allow them to negotiate with the management,
threatening that the workers could be charged with
antisubversion.

The latest case was the attack on PT Kadera AR Indonesia
workers in Pulogadung, East Jakarta, by an armed mob earlier this
month. The incident claimed the lives of two workers.

According to the 2000 Union Workers Law, the management's
failure to pay workers' salaries on time, the use of
intimidation, and campaigning against a labor union could be
categorized as violation of the law and perpetrators could be
charged. But as yet no employer has been charged with violating
the law.

Both the head of Aspindo's legal division Hasanuddin Rachman
and the National Police's assistant to the public guidance Lt.
Gen. Deddi G. said that the main concern of the government was to
save the industrial sector.

"We need to uphold the law against any measures that can
endanger the productivity of our 10,000 members," Hasanuddin
said. (bby)