31 July, 2008Indonesian workers sacked, forced to resign from union, denied overtime, and interrogated and threatened for their union activism.
Indonesia: Members of Lomenik-SBSI , an affiliate of the International Metalworkers' Federation, are under attack by management at PT Bekaert Advanced Filtration Tangerang, where workers have been persecuted for belonging to the union.
Most recently, on July 24, management announced the dismissal of all workers on the Lomenik-SBSI plant committee. The union demanded a formal letter of dismissal which the company has yet to provide. The workers are continuing to work until a letter is presented to the union.
The recent assault on union members is in keeping with Bekaert Tangerang's anti-union behaviour which includes:
- denying active union members and organisers overtime;
- pressuring workers to resign from the union, including exerting pressure on family members and community leaders to influence workers and offering bribes to union leadership;
- interrogating workers about their union activities; and
- challenging registration of the union at the Ministry of Manpower.
In a letter to Bekaert Tangerang, IMF general secretary Marcello Malentacchi called on the company to respect international labour standards, specifically Conventions 87 and 98 of the International Labour Organisation, both ratified by Indonesia. "Lomenik-SBSI is an affiliate of the IMF and therefore part of a 200 union-strong federation of metalworkers with influence and reach throughout the world. The IMF urges you to immediately put a stop to all unfair labour practices, reinstate all workers dismissed for their union activism, end the persecution of Lomenik-SBSI members and respect internationally recognized labour rights including the right to Freedom of Association and the Right to Organise and Bargain Collectively."
Bekaert Tangerang is part of the Bekaert Group, a Belgian company that specialises in metal transformation and the production of advanced wire products and metal materials and coatings. Their products supply all industrial sectors, with one third of their business in the auto industry. Bekaert Group employs 20,400 workers worldwide.
Click here to send a solidarity letter to Lomenik-SBSI .
Click here to tell Bekaert management to stop the persecution of Lomenik-SBSI members.