The Indonesian Government is coming under pressure to intervene in a major industrial dispute developing with port operator ICTSI after Australian unions protested and delivered a joint letter to the Indonesian Minister for National Development Planning Bambang Brodjonegoro in Canberra today.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and local Indonesian union FBTPI organised the protest after ICTSI flouted Indonesian law and refused to resolve the dispute.

ITF President and MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said ICTSI was a rogue employer that was ripping off workers around the world.

“These Indonesian workers are being sacked and outsourced so ICTSI can try to cut back on their already low wages of US$250 per month. These workers already earn just 15% of the wages of workers in the adjacent ports operated jointly by Hutchison and the Indonesian Government.

“Our message to the Indonesian Minister today is to be wary of your dealings with ICTSI and instead work with FBTPI to ensure justice for these dockworkers,” Mr Crumlin said.

FBTPI Secretary Didik Noryanto said ICSTI was trying to exploit workers and get away with the cheapest wages in Jakarta.

“Workers at the ICTSI port are looking to the Indonesian Government to show leadership and step in to defend these workers’ basic human rights because ICTSI is waging an aggressive campaign to drive down their wages and conditions.

“We hope these actions in Australia will demonstrate to the Indonesian Government that this issue needs their urgent intervention. Indonesian port workers thank Australian unions for their support and warn ICTSI that it is time to fix this dispute before it gets worse,” Didik said.