Syukur Sarto

Indonesians in Focus: Syukur Sarto
By Wombat | April 14th, 2006 | No Comments
Syukur Sarto does not cut an imposing figure, but his unassuming nature belies his popularity among fellow workers and his ability to rally people behind a cause. Syukur was the figure behind the huge nationwide workers’ protest on April 5, which succeeded in pressuring the government to delay the controversial revision of the 2003 Labor Law. Ridwan Max Sijabat discusses this unassuming man.

After the protest, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ordered his subordinates to set up a tripartite team comprising government officials, workers and employers to review the revision that would have brought great losses to workers had it taken effect.
Syukur, an executive with the Federation of the All-Indonesian Workers Union (KSPSI), who played a shadow role behind the rallies, said, however that the workers should be credited for the successful protests. “I am proud of the workers’ loyalty and solidarity. That made the day-long rallies effective,” he said during an interview on the weekend.
The labor rally, he recalled, was organized within hours during a meeting in Cimahi, Bandung, one day before D-day. Coordination was made possible through text messages nationwide. Almost all unionists in the provinces and regencies on the two major islands replied with a spontaneous “Yes” when asked to take to the streets to protest the law revision.
“The instruction on the rallies flew freely and very fast with the forwarded SMS,” he said. Syukur led the demo in Jakarta and brought with him nine other field coordinators to meet Vice President Jusuf Kalla to demand that the law revision be shelved.
Upset with Kalla’s response in the dialog, he warned the Vice President, who is also a former businessman, that if the demand was not met, the protest that had paralyzed business would continue until Labor Day (May 1). However, he, along with other unionists expressed appreciation that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had heeded workers’ objections to the planned revision in a dialog with employers at the State Palace last Friday.
“Considering the possible political cost that he would pay, the President is expected to postpone the planned revision,” he said.
Syukur said he had no special strategy in mobilizing so many workers for the protest in many cities nationwide. The huge turn out was because the labor law revision had disappointed workers, he asserted.
Talking about himself, he said he could not remember how many labor demonstrations he had led so far but that the first was the 1974 anti-Japan Malari demonstration in Jakarta. More recently, he had led labor rallies to fight for workers’ rights during the Labor Law deliberation in 2002 and 2003. “As long as we are serious, our instructions will be accepted by workers,” he said.
Syukur, also chairman of the KSPSI’s Federation of Construction and Public Works Trade Union (SPBPU), said he had nothing to lose and he had never given up fighting for workers’ interests. “I am accustomed to living in poverty but I won’t allow the poor to be deceived and oppressed or deprived of their rights. Workers are one of the vulnerable groups in the country that face injustice in the workplace. We are treated as tools in the production process as indicated in the bill which allows free entry of foreign workers, outsourcing in all units and sectors and indefinite contract-based employment and a cut in severance pay and service payments for dismissed workers. We have been the object of manipulation and oppression as shown by the pro-market economic policy reflected in the Labor Law’s draft revision,” he said.
He said workers and labor unions would have no objection to the law revision if they had job security and healthcare benefits and dismissed workers were assured of payments under social security programs.
He acknowledged that he was antiestablishment and has never manipulated workers to fight for personal and political interests. “Sometimes I put on the same clothes during a week-long tour in the regions and sleep in tents with construction workers. I feel glad to share the good and the bad experiences with low-income workers,” he said.
Syukur, who spends a bigger part of his time at KSPSI headquarters in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta and makes field tours of construction works in regions nationwide, has frequently met protests from his wife and his four children because he rarely spends time with them.
He is proud of his four children, however, because they were active in student movements at university and the labor movement in their workplaces. “Such activities make them mature psychologically and develops strong leadership qualities,” he said.
Syukur, who was born in the Central Java town of Purworedjo on Nov. 25, 1950, has been running a photocopy business to support his family after he quit his job at state firm PT Pembangunan Jaya. His wife and children also help him run the business.
He also underwent a number of training programs both at home and overseas and attended many international seminars which have deepened his knowledge and skills in the labor union movement. He has been a member of KSPSI’s training team to coach younger unionists in the regions.
“My former guru is the former KSPSI secretary-general Adolf Rachman from whom I learned so much about the labor movement,” he said, adding that he learned a lot about politics from Suhardiman, the former chairman of the Golkar Party-affiliated SOKSI mass organization.
Although he is also a businessman and a member of the board of commissioners in two private companies, he does not like Indonesian businessmen, whom he describes as stylish and indulgent.
Unlike foreign investors, most Indonesian businessmen seek prestige and glamor.
“Local businessmen like to show off their wealth and live the ‘platinum’ life. They wear platinum accessories and drive luxury cars while their workers are still living in poverty. Why can’t we learn from Japanese businessmen who usually lead a simple life and treat their workers as partners in efforts to make achievements in their business?” he said.
Sumber http://www.planetmole.org/daily/indonesians-in-focus-syukur-sarto.html