Stop the anti-union attacks: Support Mandiri bank workers
<http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-anti-union-attacks-support-mandiri-bank-workers>http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-anti-union-attacks-support-mandiri-bank-workers
Stop the anti-union attacks: Support Mandiri bank workers
Why This Is Important
Mandiri Bank, the largest in Indonesia, has operated since 2003 in
Timor-Leste’s capital, Dili. Mandiri is one of small number who
operate in the growing finance sector of the recently independent
Asian nation. They, alongside others including Australia’s own ANZ,
have enjoyed a growth in business in the years since their arrival.
Similarly, a small but dedicated trade union movement have started
the task of organising workers following Timor’s independence.
Serikat Pekerja Bank Mandiri Timor-Leste (SP-BMTL), or the Mandiri
Bank Workers’ Union (MBWU), was established in 2006 and represents 41
of the 42 workers employed by Mandiri in their Dili office.
However, in recent months bank workers have faced a severe pushback
in their right to conduct union activities in the workplace.
On November 30, 2011 Joaquim Gonzaga was dismissed by General
Manager, Mr. Mohamad Yani, following an ongoing dispute regarding
Yani’s attempt to by-pass collective decision making processes that
had been in place at the bank since 2003 and instead appoint a friend
to a newly created position at the bank.
Attempts made by the union to reach a settlement in the dispute
backfired when Helder Barreto (also chair of the union) was also
sacked for attempting to organise a meeting between bank management
and the MBWU’s larger affiliate, the General Workers Union of
Timor-Leste (GWU).
In response to the seconding dismissal, staff led a protest and
demanded that the bank reinstate both workers. This protest failed,
and the vice-chair of the union, Leonardo Bele Bau Amaral, became the
third casualty when he was also dumped by the bank for organising the
staff protest.
According to the Constitution of Timor-Leste, “Dismissal without just
cause or on political, religious and ideological grounds is
prohibited”. Furthermore, Section 51 stipulates that “every worker
has the right to resort to strike, the exercise of which shall be
regulated by law”.
The MBWU has continued to engage in peaceful and legal industrial
action to protest the decision made by Mandiri management, but still
Joaquim, Helder, and Leonardo are still without their jobs.
It is essential that workers’ rights are defended wherever they are
attacked. Express your support and solidarity with the union movement
of Timor-Leste and say to Mandiri Bank: NO to union busting, YES to
workers’ rights.
Sign this petition, and support Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA’s
partnerships with social justice and humanitarian development
organisations by joining our
<https://secure.fantasticone.com/apheda/order_form.php>Global Justice
Partner program.
Sign the petition:
<http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-anti-union-attacks-support-mandiri-bank-workers>http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-anti-union-attacks-support-mandiri-bank-workers
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Read Noam Chomsky on ETAN’s 20 years for human rights, justice and
democracy:
<http://etan.org/etan/2011-12chomapp.htm>http://etan.org/etan/2011-12chomapp.htm
ETAN needs you support in 2012.
