22 August, 200810,000 union members in the streets of Jakarta, Indonesia kick off latest round of IMF campaign actions against precarious work.
INDONESIA: More than 10,000 metalworkers took to the streets on August 14 in a protest against precarious work organized by FSPMI, an affiliate of the International Metalworkers' Federation. Under a burning sun demonstrators shouted slogans such as "Indonesian workers are not slaves", "government - don't ignore workers' plight" and "Hidup Buroh", which means long live labour.
The demonstration started in front of the Hyatt Hotel in Jakarta and then proceeded to the Japanese, Korean and Singaporean embassies, then the Ministry of Manpower before reaching Parliament and the Indonesian President's Palace.
In front of the Japanese, Korean and Singaporean embassies, FSPMI President Syed Iqbal gave inspiring speeches in which he condemned companies from these countries for hiring precarious workers. Companies from Japan, Korea and Singapore are the main investors in Indonesia and have resorted to offering precarious employment on a very large scale.
At the Ministry of Manpower FSPMI Vice President Riduan gave a fiery speech and demanded to see the Minister. The Ministry's Chief Secretary appeared and workers demanded that the government act on FSPMI's complaint or face regular demonstrations. The march then moved on to the Parliament and President's Palace where the union handed protest letters to the government.
Elsewhere in Indonesia, similar demonstrations were held in Batam and Surabaya but on a smaller scale. Campaign materials were widely distributed to factories organised by FSPMI and posted on notice boards. Plant level union leadership held meetings with their respective managements to demand an end to precarious work. The FSPMI has also planned to meet regional governments in their quest to stop precarious employment.
FSPMI President Syed Iqbal said that, "If precarious work is not controlled it will lead to the destruction of unions and exploitation of workers. Wage increases are undermined by precarious employment and this has placed severe hardship on the working community. We will carry on fighting this issue no matter how long it takes."
Please note: The forthcoming issue of IMF's journal Metal World, out in September, will include a feature on organizing precarious workers in Indonesia.
