Workers urged not to join demonstrations

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)