Read this article in:
12 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 52/1998
The International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) and its 20 million affiliated members worldwide congratulate the people of Indonesia on their successful struggle to secure the resignation of President Suharto. The ICEM salutes all those who have sacrificed themselves in the fight against military dictatorship for democracy and human rights.
Indonesian workers can count on the firm support of the ICEM in building a genuine, democratic and independent trade union movement during the immediate process of establishing a democratic political system. The international stands ready to assist these efforts.
The ICEM reconfirms its policy of not affiliating Indonesian trade unions until a clear way is seen towards the emergence of a genuinely independent trade unionism in Indonesia.
The ICEM is strongly aware that the "Pancasila Philosophy" has been used, for more than thirty years, to suppress the rights and the voice of the Indonesian people in the name of paternalism and dictatorship. Monopoly union structures that manipulate the concept of "the interest of the state" in order to encourage subordination to central state control must begin a sincere reform process, so as to allow internal union democracy to flourish.
Fully conscious of the hardships that face Indonesian workers while efforts to restore basic democratic and human rights continue, the ICEM is certain of their capacity to play a key role in the process of reconstruction.
The ICEM welcomes the release of some Indonesian detainees, notably Muchtar Pakpahan, President of the trade union federation SBSI. However, many trade unionists and other activists are still in Indonesian jails. They must be released without further delay.
Indonesian workers can count on the firm support of the ICEM in building a genuine, democratic and independent trade union movement during the immediate process of establishing a democratic political system. The international stands ready to assist these efforts.
The ICEM reconfirms its policy of not affiliating Indonesian trade unions until a clear way is seen towards the emergence of a genuinely independent trade unionism in Indonesia.
The ICEM is strongly aware that the "Pancasila Philosophy" has been used, for more than thirty years, to suppress the rights and the voice of the Indonesian people in the name of paternalism and dictatorship. Monopoly union structures that manipulate the concept of "the interest of the state" in order to encourage subordination to central state control must begin a sincere reform process, so as to allow internal union democracy to flourish.
Fully conscious of the hardships that face Indonesian workers while efforts to restore basic democratic and human rights continue, the ICEM is certain of their capacity to play a key role in the process of reconstruction.
The ICEM welcomes the release of some Indonesian detainees, notably Muchtar Pakpahan, President of the trade union federation SBSI. However, many trade unionists and other activists are still in Indonesian jails. They must be released without further delay.