INDONESIA: Workers resist globalisation

The Indonesian National Front for Labour Struggles (FNPBI), the militant
trade union federation, organised mass actions across the country on May
1. Pro-democracy groups joined the workers' rallies.

The workers' demands included legalising May 1 as a national labour
day. The neo-liberal economic policies being implemented by the government
of President Megawati Sukarnoputri were also a target of the protests.
The FNPBI was also demanding an end to contract labour, a shorter working
week with no loss in pay and a 100% increase in the minimum wage.

Demands for the cancellation of Indonesia's debt were raised, as were
call for the abolition of the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade
Organisation and the World Bank.

The Megawati government immediately rejected the call for May 1 to be
legalised, stating that February 20 was the official labour day. This day
is marked by the government-approved All-Indonesia Workers' Union (SPSI). 

Megawati asked the labour minister Jacob Nuwa Wea to instruct workers
not to demonstrate on May 1. The government accused FNPBI of forcing workers
to demonstrate and complained about the political nature of protests' demands.
“Why should workers deal with foreign issues, it has nothing to do with
trade union problems”, Nuwa Wea blustered.

In Jakarta, the FNPBI and the May Day Action Committee organised 8000
workers to march from three different location to presidential palace.
The commitee consisted of 30 trade unions, student organisation and political
parties. The left-wing People's Democratic Party (PRD) played a prominent
role.

The military attempted to prevent some workers reaching the protest
by erecting roadblocks. At the presidential palace, the workers heard political
speeches and watched street theatre.

FNPBI chairperson Dita Indah Sari stated that the source of workers'
problems are not simply individual company owners but also the government
that stands behind them. Workers must realise that the government and its
laws also must be resisted.

Sari said that Indonesian workers have waited long enough for the Megawati
government to improve workers' conditions. On the contrary, Megawati has
cut price subsidies and is selling Indonesia's national assets.

In West Java, the FNPBI, PRD and National Student League for Democracy
(LMND) organised an action by 500 workers outside the regional of house
of representatives building. Two days before May Day, police arrested 10
organisers who were distributing leaflets and posters.

In East Java, the May Day Action Committee organised the demonstration.
Police blocked workers as they marched from three industrial parks and
many could not reach the protest. More than 300 worker were beaten brutally
by police as they approached the regional parliament. Ten workers were
seriously injured and seven people were arrested.

In Denpasar, Bali, 200 protesters from the May Day Action Committee
gathered in front of regional house of representatives. In Makassar, South
Sulawesi, 1000 FNPBI protesters demonstrated in front of the local parliament.
In Medan, 1000 FNPBI members gathered. In Yogyakarta, several hundred workers
demonstrated. In Palu, Central Sulawesi, 2200 FNPBI and the Palu Poor People's
Front members marched to the local parliament.

From Green Left Weekly, May 15, 2002.

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From GLW issue 492