NGOs question SBSI motive behind Vico strike

Non-governmental organization Gema Bahtera has demanded the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI) to end its move in organizing strike at PT Vico Muara Badak in Kutai district, East Kalimantan, and instead pursue efforts to improve the welfare of Vico's employees through negotiations.

Gema Bahtera chairman Drs. Jamaluddin MSi accused SBSI exploited Vico employees for its own political interest, and not really fought for the better welfare of the employees. He said that SBSI's move would only inflict losses to employees.

"That labor union should stop its provocation against Vico employees, but help find a better solution that could improve the welfare of the employees in accordance with the prevailing laws," Jamaluddin said.

Gema Bahtera also demanded Pemprov to help solve the problem between Vico and its employees in Muara Badak to prevent the problems from exploding into a more serious conflict between Vico and the employees.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Communication Forum for Muara Badak People, Yusuf Culi, said that his party suspected efforts to divide Muara Badak people and then pit one group against another for the interest of certain parties' political interests.

"We need to anticipate that to prevent efforts to divide the unity of Muara Badak people in terms of religions, ethnicity and groups," Yusuf said.

He said his forum was against any form of provocation and violence and therefore, it called on the security forces to take stern measures against those trying to create chaos in the territory. (*)