A Andri/SWA & LM, Jakarta – The offices of the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI) on Jl. Yos Sudarso St Km 6.8, Medan, North Sumatra, were attacked today by a mob of assailants wearing vests marked with the emblem of the Indonesian Workers Union Federation (FSPSI).

The SBSI was established by respected labour activist Mochtar Pakpahan who was also the founder of the National Labour Party (PBN) which contested the July 1999 national elections although it did not win any seats in the parliament. The FSPSI is the post-Suharto incarnation of the SPSI, the only labour 'union' permitted during the New Order of former President Suharto.

The incident began when SBSI members joined in a peaceful protest of some 500 labourers from PT Golgon who were demanding a pay rise in front of their factory. The factory is located across from the metal, machine and electronic (lomenik) division offices of the SBSI. Witnessing the demonstration, SBSI members felt compelled to escort the labourers.

Shortly after the two groups joined, the PT Golgon management deployed tens of men wearing FSPSI vests to disperse the demonstrators. The SBSI offices were stoned and their property badly damaged at around noon local time today. The demonstrators were taking a rest when the group attacked and they were taken by surprise with many unprepared to flee.

The situation was relatively calm later in the afternoon after the labourers had left the location while the group of FSPSI members stood guard at the factory.

SBSI North Sumatra-Aceh Regional Coordinator, Arsula Gultom, confirmed that the assault was perpetrated by man wearing FSPSI vests. "We were badly besieged. But because the labourers didn't want to make things worse, we decided not to fight back," Arsula said. Despite the severe damage, neither SBSI nor the labourers are planning any retaliatory action.

Whether or not the attackers in this instance are members of the FSPSI remains unknown. Nevertheless, this clash is just the latest incident in which mobs at the behest of factory management have violently attacked protesters.