Garuda Asked To Seriously Respond To Pilot Strike Plan

  Jakarta (Antaranews jatim) - House Speaker Bambang Soesatyo reminded state-owned flag carrier Garuda Indonesia to respond seriously the threat of its pilots to stage a strike during the post-fasting Eid el-Fitr or Lebaran traveling season.

"The treat by the pilots to stage a strike is not for the first time thus indicating that there is an resolved crucial problem between the pilot and the managment," Bambang Soesatyo said through his written statement in Jakarta on Sunday.

According to Bambang Soesatyo, who is familiarly called Bamsoet, based on the record he collected there are several times the strike action from Garuda Indonesia pilot. They demanded a raise. The first Garuda pilot strike action was in 1980, then the strike was repeated in 2003 and 2011, with the same demands, demand a raise.

"The demand for a salary increase is a part of every employee's right, including strike action.In the Employment Act, strikes are justified as part of workers' rights," said Bamsoet.

However, Bamsoet regretted if the strike action of Garuda pilots is conducted during Eid el-Fitr season, because it will disrupt public service during the Lebaran season.

Bamsoet, who is also a Golkar Party politician, stressed that Garuda Indonesia pilot strike also has the potential to violate Aviation Law and Consumer Protection Law. In both laws it is stipulated that the consumer is entitled to the convenience, safety and security of using the services of the flight. "If the Garuda pilot strike is done, it will certainly harm consumers," said Bamsoet.

The Chairman of the House Representatives encourages the management of PT Garuda Indonesia to resolve the issue with the pilots as soon as possible. "Garuda Management and Trade Unions have to sit together to solve the problems," he said.

Bamsoet also said, the Ministry of Enterprises and Ministry of Transportation, should step in to help overcome the problem. "The tripartite negotiations between Garuda Workers Union, Garuda Management and the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises should be done immediately," he said.

Negotiations to open communication channels that have been blocked must put forward the spirit in finding a solution and not blame each other. "There is no word impossible to reach a mutual agreement, I hope the strike by Garuda pilot is not happening, because it harms the public and damage the good name of Garuda," he said. (*)