May Day plans under way in Indonesia
By May Sari
Attended by 50 of its leading members, the Indonesian National Front for Labour Struggle (FNPBI) held its national council meeting in Cisarua, West Java, on February 13-15.
The Palembang Workers' Centre of Struggle and the South Kalimantan Workers' Centre of Struggle were present as observers; these groups have just formed and have not yet affiliated to the FNPBI.
Three major reports were discussed: building the FNPBI's organisation, presented by general secretary Ilham Syah; the national situation, presented by president Dita Sari; and the international situation presented by head of international relations, Romawaty Sinaga.
Syah's report discussed the FNPBI's successes and failures since its formation in May last year. Affiliated organisations have increased from seven to 11, with two in the process of joining. Many workers trust the FNPBI and more workers in struggle are approaching the union for support. The union has expanded from its initial implantation in the garment and textile, electrical and chemical industries, to the transportation, maritime, forestry and mining industries.
The union's failures were mostly due to a lack of resources, poor communication between organisers because of having poor access to e-mail, telephones and pagers, and a lack of funds which made publishing leaflets and the FNPBI newsletter, Serbu, difficult. The FNPBI also cannot afford to pay the salaries of new organisers.
In her presentation on the Indonesian political situation, Dita Sari warned that the current government of President Abdurrahman Wahid and vice president Megawati Sukarnoputri cannot be trusted. It is a reformist and populist regime that seeks to use the people's trust to be Western imperialism's tool in Indonesia.
Sinaga told delegates: "Capitalism has been globalised, therefore the labour movement should be also 'globalised'. It is important for all of us to have an international perspective and build solidarity as broad as possible. We also have to actively initiate actions against imperialism."
Following these discussions, there was one-day discussion about marking May Day in Indonesia. The Indonesian labour movement has not celebrated May Day since the rise of the Suharto dictatorship in 1965. Instead, the regime sponsored activities on February 24, the anniversary of the formation of the official All Indonesian Trade Unions (SPSI).
After the fall of Suharto, May 1 was marked in 1999. At that time, only the Workers' Committee for Reform Action (KOBAR) and the Jakarta Workers' Union agreed to celebrate it.
"Those who truly fight for the workers' rights see that May Day is the big day for workers — the symbol of workers' victory against all exploitation and repression", Agus told delegates in his history of May Day.
The FNPBI council agreed to produce and distribute a pamphlet on May Day so workers can understand its significance and history. The FNPBI will also produce and distribute leaflets and posters to publicise the FNPBI's big rally in Jakarta this year. It will involve other workers', women's and students' organisations. It is expected that many international guests will also attend.
The main demands will be for the first of May to be recognised as a national public holiday so all workers can celebrate, and for a 100% wage increase. The universal slogan, "Workers of the world unite!", will be raised again in Indonesia.