December 12, 2006 Suryopratomo Editor in chief KOMPAS Jl Gajah Mada 109-110-A JAKARTA 11140 Phone : 021-6329919 Fax : 021-2601611
Dear Mr Suryopratomo, I am writing on behalf of the IFJ, the global organisation representing over 500,000 journalists, to protest against your company’s treatment and sacking of long-term and loyal employee, Bambang Wisudo. Wisudo was reportedly fired on December 8 after refusing to be reassigned to Ambon, Maluku Province. From information available to the IFJ, it seems that your company was seeking to relocate Wasudo to a distant location in order to prevent his activism as secretary of the KOMPAS Trade Union (PKK). This is a disgraceful situation, and the IFJ gives its full support to our affiliate, the Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI), in its campaign to see Wisudo immediately reinstated and his rights returned. The IFJ understands that Wisudo was also forcibly removed from KOMPAS offices by security personnel and detained in a holding cell for several hours until the delivery of a dismissal letter signed by you, as editor-in-chief. It is a terrible situation when a journalist can give 15 years of loyal service to a newspaper then be dismissed, unlawfully treated, and despised for his efforts to improve important media standards. The humiliating and improper handling of Wisudo’s case severely jeopardises KOMPAS’ reputation as a quality media employer, and organisation. The blatant intimidation tactics used by KOMPAS management to try and force Wisudo to relocate, and your company’s attempts to phase out his influence and union representation, is not only shocking and morally reprehensible, but also is contrary to the International Labour Organisation’ s (ILO) Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention. We must emphasise the crucial need for all media employers, including KOMPAS Daily, to allow union members to assemble, communicate and represent the interests of media employees. In line with Indonesian Labour Law, we support AJI’s demands that KOMPAS: · Reinstate Wisudo to his former position at PT KOMPAS Media Nusantara. · Recognise Wisudo's role as secretary of the PKK. · Rescind the decision to send Wisudo to Ambon, Maluku Province and abandon its continued policy of union member relocation. · Respect the right of employees to form and elect representatives to trade unions without intimidation. Conduct a thorough, transparent investigation of the events listed herein and take decisive corrective action against its internal security personnel, to ensure that this reprehensible action is not repeated. Yours sincerely Christopher Warren President International Federation of Journalists ____________________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Music Unlimited Access over 1 million songs. http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited
