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9 December, 1999For simply trying to improve their working conditions, Indonesian trade unionists are being charged with criminal acts.
INDONESIA: The International Metalworkers' Federation has written to the Indonesian authorities to express its concern over events which occurred earlier this year during a demonstration, and which are now resulting in a court case against trade union officials of the Lomenik SBSI (Metal, Machine & Electronic Indonesia Prosperity Trade Union).
In January, members of the Lomenik SBSI who work at the Gajah Tunggal Company, in Tangerang, met at union headquarters to discuss plans for negotiating their working conditions with company management. The employer, who heard about the meeting, started interrogating the workers individually about the union meeting. Following this, the company dismissed 20 workers - all members or plant-level officials of Lomenik SBSI - upon which 300 union members staged a demonstration in front of the office of the Minister of Manpower, but no mediation was forthcoming.
On March 4, workers staged a peaceful demonstration, organised by the union, in front of the Gajah Tunggal plant, demanding:
- a stop to the workers' dismissals;
- respect for the freedom of association and the right to organise;
- an increase in workers' wages, social insurance and bonus.
Some 400 police and military descended upon them, taking away their banners and microphone and arresting 17 of the union's leaders.
Although they were released, two were kept for three days and charged with "provoking" workers into committing a criminal act -- based on government policy and on Law KUHP No. 160, which forbids democratisation and labour rights. (ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98, on freedom of association and the right to organise, have been ratified by Indonesia.)
On November 24, a court judge formally charged the two trade unionists, and it is expected they will be found guilty and punished -- for defending workers' rights and trying to improve their working and living conditions.
In January, members of the Lomenik SBSI who work at the Gajah Tunggal Company, in Tangerang, met at union headquarters to discuss plans for negotiating their working conditions with company management. The employer, who heard about the meeting, started interrogating the workers individually about the union meeting. Following this, the company dismissed 20 workers - all members or plant-level officials of Lomenik SBSI - upon which 300 union members staged a demonstration in front of the office of the Minister of Manpower, but no mediation was forthcoming.
On March 4, workers staged a peaceful demonstration, organised by the union, in front of the Gajah Tunggal plant, demanding:
- a stop to the workers' dismissals;
- respect for the freedom of association and the right to organise;
- an increase in workers' wages, social insurance and bonus.
Some 400 police and military descended upon them, taking away their banners and microphone and arresting 17 of the union's leaders.
Although they were released, two were kept for three days and charged with "provoking" workers into committing a criminal act -- based on government policy and on Law KUHP No. 160, which forbids democratisation and labour rights. (ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98, on freedom of association and the right to organise, have been ratified by Indonesia.)
On November 24, a court judge formally charged the two trade unionists, and it is expected they will be found guilty and punished -- for defending workers' rights and trying to improve their working and living conditions.