Kiki Safitri, Dani Prabowo, Jakarta – National Police Chief (Kapolri) General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has received the highest award from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the world's largest labour organisation headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
The award is considered historic because this is the first time that the ITUC has awarded it to a state official, rather than a labour activist or social figure.
All Indonesian Trade Unions Confederation (KSPSI) President Andi Gani Nena Wea said that the award was given as a form of appreciation for the National Police chief's commitment to opening democratic space for workers and establishing a labour desk within the institution.
"Today is a historic day for the Indonesian labour movement. Kapolri General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has received an award from the global labour confederation, the ITUC, which has more than 300 million members in 170 countries", said Wea at the Indonesia Arena in the Bung Karno Sports Complex (GBK) on Thursday July 10.
According to Wea, the presence of a labour desk at the National Police is very significant in helping workers obtain legal justice. Prior to this many government officials did not understand the boundaries between administrative violations and labour crimes.
"For example, when workers don't receive their wages according to regulations, or when companies don't pay social security contributions, which constitutes a criminal offense. But previously, officials were often confused about how to handle this. Now, the Pak [Mr] Kapolri is really pushing for workers to receive justice", he explained.
Wea stated that currently there are around 2,600 labour investigators who have been appointed and assigned to various strategic industrial areas. This move was highly appreciated by the ITUC and was one of the main factors in giving the award.
Representing the ITUC headquarters in Brussels, ITUC Secretary General Shoya Yoshida personally presented the award to Prabowo at the GBK on Thursday July 10. The award ceremony is also said to have received full authorisation from the global labour organisation.
"This is not merely symbolic, but a form of global recognition of the concrete steps taken by the Indonesian government, particularly the Indonesian National Police, in protecting workers' rights", said Wea.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Organisasi Buruh Dunia Berikan Penghargaan ITUC kepada Kapolri".]
