An active member of the Jakarta International Container Terminal Trade Union (SPJICT) was yesterday viciously assaulted by Hutchison Port Security in Jakarta.
Rio Wijaya reported to the port security post at around 16:30 local time on Tuesday 20 August, having heard that a security guard, Yaser Arafat, was searching for him. Once inside the building Mr Wijaya was beaten by security guards. He was later taken to hospital where he was treated for bruising and a number of injuries.
SPJICT secretary-general Mokhammad Firmansyah has condemned the assault in the strongest terms and called for a thorough investigation into the incident. “The company guard house must not become a place for beatings and thuggery against SPJICT members. We must find out what the motive is for the persecution of our members. We will pursue this case until it is resolved.”
The attack on Mr Wijaya by Hutchison security follows unprecedented levels of intimidation and threats against trade-unionists in the Port of Jakarta, including the use of firearms aimed at members’ cars. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), representing dock workers worldwide, continues to monitor the situation and stands firmly in solidarity with all workers facing violence in Jakarta and elsewhere.
Enrico Tortolano of the ITF dockers section made clear: “This latest attack on Rio Wijaya, a peaceful and hardworking trade-unionist at Hutchison Jakarta, is reprehensible and once more in violation of basic worker rights. This will not be tolerated in any shape or form by the ITF or the wider trade union movement. Hutchison needs to start respecting its workforce and engage constructively with trade unions in all their terminals, including SPJICT in Jakarta – an important ITF affiliate. Moreover, it needs to deal swiftly with this ugly incident which has no place in the 21st Century.”
The ITF dockers lead for the Asia-Pacific region, who is travelling to Jakarta, says: “The tactics of fear will only serve to strengthen this solidarity. The international trade union movement cannot and will not accept attacks on democratic unions or their members. Justice must be served quickly to restore confidence in the freedom of association and the right to join a trade union, which has for many years been absent in Indonesia.”
BREAKING - Safety Delegate at Hutchison Jakarta Rio Wijaya was yesterday viciously assaulted by Hutchison Port Security. Rio is close comrade and friend of many MUA wharfies here in Australia. This attack follows in the wake of a raft of intimidation and threats against unionists in the Port of Jakarta, including the shooting-up of members cars. Rio - we have your back 150%. Touch one, touch all. Perjuangan Lanjutkan - Hidup Buruh!
Press Release - Jakarta International Container Terminal Trade Union
Chronology of the Beating of SPJICT Member (Port Workers Union - Hutchison Jakarta)
Jakarta – The Jakarta International Container Terminal Trade Union (SPJICT) has condemned the beating of member Rio Wijaya, which the Union suspects was done by a security guards employed by Hutchison. SPJICT wants the case thoroughly investigated.
“We the workers of JICT condemn the actions of Hutchison security guards suspected to have assaulted our member” said SPJICT Secretary General Firmansyah in Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon (20-8-19).
Firman said that earlier Rio arrived to report to security – who are directly employed by Hutchison – as port security guard Yaser Arafat was apparently searching for him.
“Rio arrived at the security post at about 4.30pm to ask why Yaser was searching for him. Suddenly we receive the news that Rio is getting assaulted by security inside the guard house.”
Rio, who arrived for confirmation, was instead beaten by security forces.
“The company guard house must not become a place for beatings and thuggery against SPJICT members. We must find out what the motive is for the persecution of our members” said Firman.
After the beating, union member Rio Wijaya was taken to the hospital for treatment. He has bruising and a number of injuries.
“We want this thoroughly investigated. Several times we have experienced the intimidation of our members, including the shooting-up of cars, and this is the most vulgar. We will pursue this case until it is resolved”.
Secretary General SP JICT
M Firmansyah
+62 87878856386
M Firmansyah
+62 87878856386
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