Tabalong regent threatens to expel radical labor unions

Noor Aidi, the regent of Tabalong regency in South Kalimantan has threatened to expel any labor unions which disturb the activities of companies operating in the regency, Banjarmasin Pos reported on Friday.

Speaking to reporters following a meeting with the local legislative council, the regent said that the companies were assets of the regency and their existence should, therefore, be protected.

?If there is a labor union trying to undermine activities of a company, they will be expelled from the regency,? he warned. The regent made his warning in response to workers? strike at Pama Persada Nusantara, a subsidiary of coal mining operator PT Adaro Indonesia.

The strike was made by members of the radical labor organization Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI) as a protest against the alleged attack against the labor union?s chairman MA Janatha by the company?s men.

According to Noor, if the activities of a labor union have threatened the existence of a company, there would be no investors coming to the regency.(*)