How important are international links to you?
Solidarity among the
union movement is very important, whatever their own ideology. There
are also a few Australian businesses in Indonesia, particularly in
mining, so it is important that our unions fight together for
solidarity.
What was SBSI's stand on East Timor?
My union and I myself
were the first to fight for a referendum for East Timor - it was one
reason Suharto put me in jail, as a 'subversive'. Before, I wanted East
Timor to become one nation with us, but the people of East Timor
decided to be free, and I honour their decision. For the future, I
suppose the trade union role in Indonesia and Australia is to support
our friends in East Timorese trade unions to build democracy, rule of
law, justice and human rights in East Timor.
What role did the SBSI play in Indonesia's democratisation?
The SBSI was involved
in bringing reformasi to Indonesia, and in electing the current
president, Gus Dur. The role of the SBSI for the future is to support
the government, as long as it still supports reformasi.
How much change has there been for workers?
It's not easy yet for
us to organise. In Riau, two leaders of my union were sent to jail
after striking to demand a wage increase. The police and FSPSI, the
former government union, joined with the military to intimidate my
members and send them to jail. Such cases are going on in a number of
provinces.
What do you think of the current Minister of Manpower?
Bomer
Pasaribu was involved in labour rights violations, particularly since
1985 when he became secretary-general of the FSPSI. Then as president
of that union he twice was involved organising demonstrations to insist
that the government punish me. When he became commissioner of
Jamsostek, the company which administers social insurance for workers,
the company was full of scandals. He 'marked up' the budget. He was
corrupt, and the new attorney general is still investigating him. We
would like international unions to insist that President Gus Dur
replace Bomer Pasaribu, for the international good appearance of
Indonesian workers. His is still the 'New Order' appearance.
What is the future for the SBSI?
First, we want to
reform the labour laws produced by 32 years of New Order government.
Now, there are no laws to protect workers - all the laws protect
companies and the military. Second, we want many officials replaced,
particularly in the military, police and the Department of Manpower.
Third, we want to strengthen my union through education and training.
By the end of 2001, we aim to have at least a million due-paying
members. Finally, discrimination about race (Chinese and non-Chinese)
and religion (Muslim and non-Muslim) is rising here. I believe that
only the trade union movement can build real democracy, rule of law,
human rights and anti discrimination.
