ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) member union Serikat Pekerja Jakarta International Container Terminal (SPJICT) will be striking from today August 3 till August 10 and ITF released a statement saying that it is mobilising international support for dock workers in Indonesia.
The workers say they are striking over ruthless attacks to their rights – in particular to pension rights and performance bonuses – which terminal management has been pursuing in the course of negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement.
Meanwhile dockworkers at ICTSI’s terminal will escalate their own action to resist what they say are harsh management practices to coincide with the start of the SJICT strike.
The union there, Federasi Serikat Buruh Transportasi dan Pelabuhan Indonesia (FBTPI) has announced it will hold a mass demonstration at the port today (August 3) to demand that management end illegal outsourcing, pay unpaid overtime and settle a fair collective agreement.
SPJICT has been at the Pelindo II-Hutchison Ports joint venture JICT since it started operation in 1999, and has worked since then to ensure that the port’s workers are treated with respect and dignity.
JICT has been granted an extension of its concession till 2039 which is now being investigated for being contrary to local laws and depriving the state of potential revenue.
The union accuses management of using the extension agreement as a means to squeeze more profits by crushing workers’ rights.
SPJICT chair Nova Hakim said: "We urge our comrades in the ITF to support our strike in defence of our national asset, and in protecting the rights of our members. This port extension is robbing the Indonesian people, and we cannot stand idly by."
ITF president and dockers’ section chair Paddy Crumlin said: “ITF dockers’ unions everywhere will be backing our Indonesian colleagues with lawful solidarity action and messages of support. They say that a fish rots from the head down and this wave of industrial action, coupled with other action at Tanjung Priok proves that something is seriously wrong with labour relations at the port – something that the employers and government must remedy immediately.”
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