SBSI 'invites' American labor union to see Vico labor protest

Two foreign labor activists have arrived in Muara Badak, East Kalimantan to see the protests staged by the workers of the subcontractors of American oil and gas company Vico Indonesia.

Local daily Suara Kaltim said the two labor activists, identified as Merry Ann and John Grovsil, from American Council of International Labor Solidarity (ACILS), accompanied by the officials of the Indonesian Prosperous Workers Trade Union (SBSI) were spotted among the protesting workers on Saturday.

They were seen interviewing the protesting workers, the daily said.

Their nationalities remained unclear, the paper further said, adding the security officials failed to question them about the purpose of their visit as SBSI officials kept protecting them from being approached by the officials.

SBSI officials even punched the security officials when the latter tried to approach the foreign labor activists.

Achmad Basori, head of local non-governmental organization Terang 2030, suspected that SBSI had purposely invited the foreign labor activists with the intention of "internationalizing" the protests staged by Vico contractors' workers.

Achmad suspected SBSI of trying to encourage the international community to pressure Vico to meet the workers' demand.

Regretting SBSI's move, Achmad voiced fears that the foreign labor activists would disseminate wrong information about the protest and as such damage the reputation of East Kalimantan among foreign investors.

The workers of Vico's contractors staged many protests throughout the year, demanding among others that Vico increase their salaries and recruit them as permanent workers. (*)