Workers urged not to join demonstrations

JAKARTA (JP): Workers in Greater Jakarta were asked Saturday to be vigilant and to turn down invitations by a labor union which was advertising a massive demonstration from yesterday through tomorrow, former activists said.

HR Soejoedono, the head of the Communication Forum for Those Intending to Continue the Spirit of the Independence Struggle Pioneers, said Saturday that because of the crisis the planned demonstration would only further burden the public, especially the workers themselves and their companies because production activities would be affected.

Accompanied by H Rasyid Emilly, the head of the '66 Exponent Self-reliant Institution, Soejoedono said that as the government had agreed to raise regional minimum wages by 15 percent as of Aug. 1, workers should show gratitude that at a time of crisis their welfare was still being considered.

Soejoedono was quoted by Antara that his forum's board members, who are also directors of companies in Tangerang, had received information of a planned three-day demonstration beginning yesterday.

Quoting a worker's report, he said that the invitation, issued by the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI) led by Muchtar Pakpahan, would threaten the economy and the unity of the nation. No details of the demands to be raised at the demonstration were available.

"We all know that in such a time of crisis it is difficult for any company to continue operating, let alone raise wages and other allowances," he said.

Rasyid Emilly echoed Soejoedono's call for workers not to be easily provoked by SBSI to join the demonstration but urged businessmen to improve cooperation with unions to help reach mutual labor agreements.

Rasyid also asked the government to summon Muchtar Pakpahan to question him about his reasons for encouraging workers to protest. (hhr)