Indonesian police attack Honda workers

INDONESIA: The Federation of Indonesian Metalworkers' Unions (SPMI), an IMF affiliate, reports that during strike action at Honda Prospect Motor, in North Jakarta, police attacked the peaceful strikers, injuring 30, and leaving 5 in serious condition. In March, when negotiations concerning a wage increase resulted in deadlock, workers took strike action, on March 11-12, and again from March 19. Management reacted on March 25 by firing one worker, an Executive Committee member of the plant union, and issuing letters to 208 workers suspending them from their jobs. The police attack occurred on April 8. The IMF has asked its affiliate in Japan - the Japan Council of Metalworkers' Unions (IMF-JC) - to raise the matter with the Japanese Autoworkers' Union and with Honda management in Japan.