Trade union leader reports on Indonesia
By Bayardo Rodriegas
MELBOURNE — At a reception for Victorian Trades Hall secretary Leigh Hubbard on July 17, participants heard about the growth and prospects of Indonesia's fledgling independent trade union movement. The reception was organised by Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) and Australia Asia Worker Links.
Hubbard, who has just returned from Indonesia, described the political situation as contradictory: "On the one hand there is euphoria at the space that has been opened by the end of the Suharto regime ... on the other there is an increasingly tragic, outrageous and bizarre situation due to increasing poverty as a result of the economic crisis."
Hubbard noted that while there has been a rise in trade union activism following Suharto's demise, workers still face repression. In one incident, he said, 23 steelworkers were injured by the military using rubber bullets to break up a demonstration over wages and conditions.
Hubbard predicted that the old official state union, the FSPSI, would decline. In its place would be stronger independent unions such as the Indonesian Workers' Prosperity Union and the Centre for Labour Struggle (PPBI).
A highlight of his talk was a message from Dita Sari, jailed leader of the PPBI and the banned People's Democratic Party, who called for support from Australian workers and for the release of all political prisoners in Indonesia.
Hubbard noted that some 40 new political parties had been formed. He said he was questioned by Indonesian advocates of a labour party based on the Australian experience. Saying that the relationship between trade unions and the ALP was "vexed", Hubbard advocated focusing on forming strong industrial organisations before considering such a party.
He concluded by outlining plans to strengthen solidarity between Australian and Indonesian trade unions. These include support for training, campaigning for the release of all political prisoners and possibly the touring in Australia of some Indonesian trade union leaders.
The meeting was also addressed by Maria Indra, an Indonesian democracy activist currently touring Australia, and Max Lane, ASIET national coordinator.