Take action now: Anti-union management sack Mandiri Bank union members

Two months on, three union members at Mandiri Bank are yet to be reinstated after being dismissed...

Click here to read KSTL's 8 January 2012 media release on the Mandiri Bank workers dispute

Mandiri Bank, the largest in Indonesia, opened its doors in the capital Dili, Timor-Leste, in 2003, following the welcome arrival of independence just two years earlier. Mandiri is one of small number who operate in the growing finance sector. 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 by a group of employees. As of January 2012, the BMWU represent 41 of the 42 workers employed by Mandiri in their Dili office.

However, in recent months bank workers at Mandiri 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.

Gongaza explained to the GM that in his capacity as Assistant Manager, as well as elected union official, there was a need for him to consult with all members of the cooperatively run office. According to Gongaza, "it was in accordance with the principles of the cooperative that all decisions should come from members".

Attempts made by the union to reach settlement with Mandiri backfired when Helder Barreto (also chair of the union) was dismissed for attempting to organise a meeting between bank management and the MBWU's larger affiliate, the General Workers Union of Timor-Leste (GWU).

Barreto feared that as both an elected official of the union and an employee of the bank, his own job security would likely be threatened if he were to advocate on behalf of Gonzaga. Unfortunately, involving the GWU was insufficient cover to prevent his own dismissal.

All staff protested this decision, leading to the further termination of Barreto's co-worker and union colleague Leonardo Bele Bau Amaral (who was also vice-chair of the union).

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".

Despite the MBWU having engaged in peaceful and legal industrial action to protest the dismissal of these three members, as well as engaging in a triparite mediation process with the government and the Bank in an attempt to resolve this dispute, 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.

TAKE ACTION NOW

1. Sign our online petition by following this link: http://chn.ge/zalA4x

2. Send this link to two friends or co-workers. It only takes a second, and will contribute immensely to getting to word out

3. Organise a meeting in your workplace to discuss the issue of workers' rights in our region. Contact our office on 1800 888 674 or email organise@apheda.org.au to find out how

4. Support Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA's partnerships with social justice and humanitarian development organisations by joining our Global Justice Partner program today.

© Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA 2003.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 18-Jan-2012 14:37:32 EST
This page: http://apheda.org.au/news/1326855132_25418.html