From GLW: INDONESIA: May Day win for strikers

["Alan Bradley" <alanb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>From Green Left Weekly:

INDONESIA: May Day win for strikers

JAKARTA -- A three-day strike by 1800 workers employed at the PT Isanti
shoe factory in Semarang, Central Java, forced the company to grant 23 out
of their 25 demands on April 11.

The strike was organised by the Central of Semarang Workers (PBS),
affiliated with the militant independent union, National Front for
Indonesian Workers' Struggle (FNPBI).

Among the demands conceded by the company were the abolition of compulsory
overtime, full payment of wages during national holidays, and that May 1 be
a public holiday. Only two of the demands were not agreed to by the company
-- a meal allowance of 4000 rupiah per day and a transportation allowance
of 2000 rupiah per day.

As is common in most factories in Indonesia, the company compelled its
employees to work overtime without overtime pay. Resentment against this
and other working conditions, however, was not enough to overcome the
workers' fear of being sacked by the company or tortured by the military if
they engaged in strike action.

Iin, an organiser for PBS since late last year, had been visiting an area
where the workers employed by PT Isanti lived. ?The workers I met didn't
talk too much?, she said. ?They were really afraid. I had to work very hard
to convince them.?

?Until we had contact with PBS, we weren't sure if industrial action could
be the means of our struggle?, said Ryanto, one of the workers. ?We were
pushed to join the old union here but in fact they have never fought for
our rights. There are times when they sit and laugh together with the
company.?

After many months of discussions with PBS organisers, the workers decided
to take action. Only an hour after the strike started, the military
attacked the picket line outside the factory.

However, the workers succeeded in repulsing the attack, and maintained
their picket. The confidence and sense of solidarity this generated among
the workers forced the company to give in to most of the demands three days
later.

The most significant outcome of the strike was the company's agreement to
make May Day a paid holiday. ?I think PT Isanti is the first company in
Indonesia to agree to that?, said PBS chairperson Narso. ?We hope the case
of PT Isanti will be followed other companies.?

The FNPBI has called for the first of May to be made a national holiday.

BY MAY SARI