Labour Takes a Citizenship Approach

In yet another article in Inside Indonesia about citizenship, Hari Nugroho describes how labor union activists work in post-Suharto Indonesia to expand citizen's rights as a whole. The focus of the article is on representatives of the Pekalongan branch of the SPN (Serikat Pekerja Nasional) and how their strategies develop to broaden the appeal of the union. Although previously linked to the New Order, the SPN and other labor unions looked to break away from the government and its "authoritarian legacies." Among other things the SPN began "participating in a city forum for health care", also attempting to gain influence through the sponsoring of political candidates (none of which ultimately did very well). Despite the constant efforts of SPN and other unions to gain support, it has been difficult for them to acquire a strong base, a fact that calls into question how Indonesians think about citizenship and citizens rights. Has the authoritarian legacy of the New Order fundamentally shaped the ethics of Indonesians, even in an increasingly globalized world?

Another element to consider is how this article can be analyzed with regard to the paradoxical liberation offered by restrictions. The formation of labor unions casts generalizations about the rights that individuals within are seeking/can seek, and yet simultaneously allow for an autonomy not often immediately offered by the legal authority. Similarly relevant is the acknowledgement that the standard of ethics to which I am comparing post-Suharto Indonesia is entirely dependent on Western constructions of citizenship and civic duty. For Indonesia to thrive is it necessary to apply these same standards? This particularly relates to the readings about democracy and freedom in Asia (revolving around statements from Lee Kuan Yew).