Industrial disputes in E Kalimantan get worse

Industrial relations in East Kalimantan have showed no improvement as disputes between workers and management in a number of companies in the province are continuing, according to the association of Indonesian entrepreneurs (Apindo).

The chairman of the association's chapter in the province, Gunawan Wibowo, said in Balikpapan on Tuesday that conflicts between the workers and the management still occurred in several mining companies such as PT Multi Harapan Utama, PT Kitadin and PT Kaltim Prima Coal.

"The industrial disputes are also seen in PT Kiani Kertas, PT DMR and Vico," he was quoted as saying by Suara Karya.

He blamed the growing industrial disputes on the government's decision in 1998 to ratify the ILO Convention No: 87, which allowed workers to form unions of their own choices. "The freedom is often used by some groups of workers to meet their unrealistic demand by organizing strike and demonstration," he said.

Gunawan said the government's decision to ratify the ILO convention was too risky. According to him even an industrialized country like the United States has not yet ratify the convention because it fears the ratification would bring a negative impact on the industrial relations. (*)