Jakarta – Police involvement in dealing with labor disputes was pivotal although their performance had been criticized, International Labor Organization (ILO) spokeswoman Gita Lingga said on Tuesday.

While the police's military-style approach in dealing with labor disputes was still controversial, their involvement was vital to creating harmonious industrial relations in Indonesia, Gita said.

The ILO is conducting a one-day seminar in Jakarta on Wednesday entitled "The Role of the Police in Industrial Relations".

Indonesian Police chief, Gen Da'i Bachtiar, US Ambassador to Indonesia Ralph L Boyce, and ILO director for Indonesia Allan Boulton are expected to open the seminar.

Gita said the role of policemen in handling legal disputes among industrial workers would be among the topics discussed during the seminar.

The seminar also intended to introduce the ILO's declaration on police training, which was launched in August last year.

"The project is part of technical cooperation between the US and Indonesian governments," Gita said.