Adil Al Hasan, Jakarta – The Jakarta Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI Jakarta) urges CNN Indonesia's management to retract the termination letter (PHK) against nine employees who are members of the CNN Indonesia Workers Solidarity (SPCI).
This layoff occurred just a few days after SPCI was officially established on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.
"(We are) Urging the management of CNN Indonesia to stop the practice of forced union busting by withdrawing the termination letter to employees who are SPCI administrators," said AJI Jakarta Chair Irsyan Hasyim in a written statement on Sunday night, September 1, 2024.
Prior to the layoffs, Irsyan said management was also suspected of cutting employee wages. This wage cut is said to have lasted for three months.
AJI also urges CNN Indonesia management to stop unilaterally cutting wages to all employees," said Irsyan.
Not only that, AJI Jakarta also asked the Ministry of Manpower and the Jakarta Manpower Office to monitor potential labor violations and crimes in this case. At the same time, AJI also asked the Press Council to review CNN Indonesia's verification.
"Urging the Press Council to review CNN Indonesia's media verification which is indicated to have neglected employee welfare," said Irsyan.
Meanwhile, Irsyan appreciated the establishment of SPCI for being the first labor union in the Transmedia environment owned by conglomerate Chairul Tanjung. Irsyan said the establishment of SPCI was also to fight for employee rights there.
"The establishment of a labor union is a strategic step for CNN Indonesia employees to fight for fair and decent labor rights," he said.
AJI Jakarta also encourages the establishment of trade unions in other media companies. This step is considered to protect workers.
The formation of trade unions is a human right legally guaranteed by the Indonesian constitution. Freedom of association is guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution, the Human Rights Law and Law No. 21/2000 on Trade Unions/Labor Unions.
Freedom of association is also guaranteed by International Labour Organization (ILO) convention No. 87 of 1948 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize and ILO convention No. 98 of 1949 on the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining. Indonesia has ratified both ILO conventions.
AJI Jakarta also reminds that trade unions are protected by Article 28 and Article 43 paragraph (1) of Law Number 21 of 2000 concerning Trade Unions/Labor Unions. Thus, efforts to suppress trade unions can be categorized as criminal acts.
Tempo has contacted CNN Indonesia Editor-in-Chief Titin Rosmasari and CNN Indonesia TV Deputy Editor-in-Chief Revolusi Riza Zulverdi to confirm the allegations of union busting and request a response. However, until this news was published, they had not responded to Tempo's inquiries.