Media terbesar Australia , ABC menulis ...One of Indonesia’s most aggressive unions is running a campaign in this year’s elections to put its own people in parliament, a move it believes necessary to gain further influence. It would be good if when we do action on the street, at the same time we have someone fight on our side on the parliament, said Obon Tabroni, the man crafting the campaign. At least if they going to discuss something relating to our life, we would knew earlier, and we can give a quicker reaction or oppose it. If the strategy pays off, it could be the start of a political presence for Indonesias more militant union in a system that they feel is ignoring them. The KSPI, as the union confederation is known as, is reaching out to its members and calling on them to support the unions candidates. But of course it needs hard work, because this is a new kind The KSPIs Obon Tabroni says many Indonesians have been put off by politics because of rampant corruption and the domination of political elites, and don’t bother to vote. The union confederation knows that it will have to turn this attitude, and aside from educating people about the ballot papers, will punish anyone found to be involved in graft, he said. Small steps As part of its move into mainstream politics, the union is placing its people into several different parties rather than just one, and providing financial support. It means that one political party can’t claim to own them, and also means those who make it to parliament could vote as a block. A big thing starts from small steps, Mr Tabroni said. If we did not dare to take the small steps, we would not reach the bigger goal, we cannot dream that all the members of parliament are from the labor movement. All of the candidates are drawn from the metalworkers union, which has proven to be the most assertive and organised of Indonesia’s labour movement. Obon Tabroni heads the metalworkers chapter in the industrial city of Bekasi, just outside of Jakarta, and has been in the thick of several campaigns, including the one that led to a substantial rise in the minimum wage. Some are concerned about aggressive tactics and what they see as economically unsustainable demands. The confederation running the political campaign remains resolute about its goal, saying change for workers isn’t happening fast enough. Thats why we have to keep the spirit. If we miss this political target, the future challenge will be twice as hard. Millions of Indonesians remain in the informal sector and have no rights at all, let alone belong to a union, and it remains to be seen if the union campaigns will help the most low-paid.......
Posted on: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 00:49:41 +0000
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