SBY appeals to unions to call off strike

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 04/19/2006 10:19 AM  |  Business

With the country's economic condition still precarious and the number of unemployed on the rise, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on unions to drop a plan to stage a general strike on May 1.

Yudhoyono voiced concerns that the strike, planned by a number of powerful independent labor unions, would be highly damaging to the economy and scare off investors.

""I have received reports that there is a plan to stage a national general strike. Please reconsider this plan as it will bring about more problems than benefits. The plan will only result in misery for the general public.

""The strike will halt business activities, which will in turn affect the business climate and disrupt public services,"" said Yudhoyono during a visit to a factory belonging to publicly listed pharmaceutical firm PT Tempo Scan Pacific.

The labor unions are planning a general strike to mark May Day in an effort to attract world attention to labor conditions in Indonesia.

""The government doesn't want to see a strike as an agreement has been reached between unionists and employers to discuss the labor law revisions in a tripartite dialog. The unions' concerns are being accommodated,"" said Yudhoyono.

The tripartite talks between employers, workers and the government are intended to seek a solution to the recent outbreak of labor unrest. -- JP

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