Better Work Indonesia

Betterworkindo

NEWSLETTER1st Edition, Year 2013

Contents:2. Better Work Indonesia Programme Launch Phase II3. Better Work Indonesia’s Enterprise Advisors and Training Officer4. Better Work Indonesia: ILO Regional Delegates’ Factory Visit5. Better Work Indonesia Strives to End Workplace Harassment6.“Celebrate Women in Your Life” - a photo and story competition8. In the Workers’ Kampong - Better Work Indonesia raises awareness about improved

health and well being for female garment workers9. Prevention of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace10. Upcoming Agenda

Better Work Indonesia is funded by:

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Better Work Indonesia recently embarked on the second phase of its programme implementation in West Java on Friday, 8 February 2013 at Luxton Hotel in Bandung.

This occasion was marked by the introductory session outlining Better Work Indonesia’s service. During this session, Mr. Tony Wahid of GAP Indonesia also showed his support towards the development of the programme and encouraged voluntary participation from factories. The following session was the interactive radio discussion to disseminate the Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Regulation No. 19/2012 regarding the terms of contracting job performance to other companies (outsourcing); and Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Regulation No. 20/2012 regarding the Employee’s Social Securities.

Simon Field, the Better Work Indonesia Chief Technical Advisor, stated, “West Java and Central Java Provinces are the primary producers of the garment industry in Indonesia. Therefore, BWI presence in such regions is expected to play key contributions in conjunction with assisting to improve the compliances toward labour standards and enhance the competitiveness as well as productivity in the garment industry.”

Mr. Field further expressed that through the Better Work Indonesia programme, the actual collaboration among the government, employers, workers, as well as international buyers, may be achieved in conjunction with the enhancement of compliance toward labour standards and sustainable improvement for the garment industry in Indonesia.

Better Work Indonesia Programme Launch Phase II

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Better Work Indonesia has now embarked on the second phase of the programme. The expansion of its operational areas during this phase covers different regions in West Java and Central Java. Therefore, Better Work Indonesia has recruited additional personnel who will contribute key roles in improving the performance and development of the garment factories in Indonesia.

Better Work Indonesia’s Enterprise Advisors and Training Officer:

Better Work Indonesia’s Enterprise Advisors and Training Officer

Better Work Indonesia’s team of Enterprise Advisors and Training officer bring vast experience in the garment industry, which will serve the participating factories well. Welcome Enterprise Advisors and Training Officer!

• Standing from Left to Right: Retno Nugrahini, Andre Florens Daniel, Sutrisna, Arifzal Adrianto, Mohamad Anis, Dinah Madiadipura, Aris Darwanto, Ira Aprisiani, Pipit Savitri.

• Seated from Left to Right: Adhiyos Putra, Fauzan Azhima, Maria Giovanna, Nenden Aminah, Nur Purnamawati.

Workers in Indonesian garment factories are increasingly finding their voices, and through Better Work Indonesia’s influence on factory conditions, these voices are flowing through appropriate communication channels.

During a visit to PT Citra Adabi Sejati, a garment factory in Bogor, ILO’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific stressed the value of open communication.

“Social dialogue that we are promoting is working well,” Mr Yushiteru Uramoto said. “That’s the message I’m getting.”

Delegates from ILO’s regional office toured the factory on 28 February and spoke with union leaders, workers and management on the morning tour of the sprawling compound.

The most pressing issue on the minds of everyone was the recent mimimum wage increase province wide. In 2012, Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo approved an increase in wages by 44 percent; a significant bump from IDR 1.5 million per month to IDR 2.2 million. This increase is rigorously exercising the communication portals set up with BWI assistance.

Union leader, Karyono, said workers make their feelings known to management often, and that they understand the delicate balance between wage hikes and keeping the factory going.

“Of course we complain about wage increases, but we are also worried about sustainability,” Karyono said.

PT Citra was one of 500 companies awarded a wage increase postponement giving management one year to prepare for the changes, but like many large companies, it may shift production to another province where minimum wage is half that of Jakarta’s IDR 2.2 million. However, that’s not a decision taken lightly, according to senior management.

“The wage hike has been a wake-up call to do better; to be more efficient,” said Gokal Chittaranjan, Operations Strategic Head for the company’s West Java outfit.

He said that the workforce at PT Citra are very skilled and generally stay in their jobs for three to five years. That’s an investment that they are unwilling to jeopardize in a cross-country move.

Despite the difficult challenges ahead, every involved agreed that the Better Work Indonesia systems have helped develop joint solutions.

“We see we have the same vision as Better Work Indonesia: better working conditions,” Mr Chittaranjan said. “Both parties benefit, workers and employers. Now it’s just time to ask more buyers to join.”

Better Work Indonesia: ILO Regional Delegates’ Factory Visit

A garment worker greets Mr. Yushiteru Uramoto as he toured the sewing floor at PT Citra Abadi Sejati in Bogor.

Garment workers, like those in PT Citra Abadi Sejati, can communicate concerns more effectively with Better Work Indonesia-influenced systems.

Simon Field, Better Work Indonesia Chief Advisor chats with Gokal Chittaranjan on the sewing floor at PT Citra.

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In the month of March, ILO’s Better Work Indonesia programme focused on putting an end to workplace harassment, sexual harassment and bullying. A recent study conducted by Tufts University in the United States of America and University of Indonesia found that 85 percent of workers are concerned about sexual harassment. A further 80 percent of respondents said they were concerned about verbal abuse, and 87 percent cited concerns about physical abuse.

At the factory levels, Mr. Lee Hyun Joo, General Manager of PT Dream Sentosa Indonesia, one of the factories partnered with Better Work Indonesia, stated, “The first step is understanding the definition [of harassment]”. He also explained that despite the delivery of training on harassment on several occasions, only one percent of the workers can actually explain the meaning of harassment.

Coinciding with International Women’s Day, Better Work Indonesia recently released Guidelines for the Prevention of Workplace Harassment. This document defines different types of harassment, provides insight into the harmful effects of harassing behaviour, and offers ways in which companies can work towards prevention for a stronger, more efficient and happier workforce.

Better Work Indonesia Strives to End Workplace Harassment

Additionally, in conjunction with enhancing the garment workers’ knowledge in harassment issues, Better Work Indonesia has also broadcasted text messages to 7,812 workers and conducted social promotions via the Better Work Indonesia Facebook page, which presently has 20,981 ‘friends.’

Better Work Indonesia also released a two-part video series on YouTube that dramatises and different types of behaviour that are unacceptable.

Through these activities, Better Work Indonesia encourages factory management and workers to work together in creating a conducive working environment, leading to better industrial relations.

To learn more about our Guidelines for the Prevention of Workplace Harassment, please click the link below:http://betterwork.org/indonesia/?page_id=2504

To view our videos on Prevention of Workplace Harassment, please visit the Better Work Indonesia Playlist on YouTube and search the keywords:

• Video on Prevention of Bullying in the Workplace • Video on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment in

the Workplace

Winners were announced in the “Celebrate Women in Your Life” contest held during March’s International Women’s Day. Participants were asked by Better Work Indonesia to submit photos, stories or videos that put a spotlight on important women they know. Only selected entries were posted to BWI Facebook and ‘friends’ were able to vote for their favourite photo and story.

Top prize was awarded to Urifah. Her photo of Butet Simanjuntak, a coworker at the PT. Citra Abadi Sejati factory in Java, garnered 317 votes on Facebook.

Runner-up Kurniawan Wijaya Saputro captured the image of a strong career woman, nabbed over 200 votes.

See the winning photos and the rest of the top ten below.

“Celebrate Women in Your Life” – a photo and story competition

First Winner: Urifah Butet Simanjuntak is a worker atPT. Citra Abadi Sejati who also collects recyclable bottles to help maintain the factory’s cleanliness. This single parent makes Rp. 400.000 a month from selling these bottles and uses the money to support her children.

RUNNER-UP: KurniawanWijaya SaputroThis woman focuses on her career during the day and pursues her photography hobby after hours.

Photo Credit: Ahmad Nafik MundzirSherly, a make-up artist from Surabaya, visits a local primary school. She teaches the students a few make-up tricks and tips, like special effects and shading

Photo Credit: Esti PrasetyowatiTatih, a sewing operator in her factory who is a disciplined worker and positive thinker!

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Photo Credit: Indan Sundaya“Wonder Women” take to the pitch to play football to celebrate Indonesia’s Independence Day at the factory. They show that it’s not a game for men only. “Despite their not so young age, these women don’t mind playing this masculine sport,” said photographer, Indan Sundaya.

Photo Credit: Mia Fitriani CandraMrs. Dwi, the head of the women’s development division at her factory, works hard to help women recognize their equality in Indonesian culture; at home andin the workplace.

Photo Credit: Kusmiyati Mrs. Endang Susanti is a patient woman who is a strong and respected leader in her factory. 5

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Photo Credit: Rini WidyaningsihMrs. Jumirah, a devoted worker who has spent 29 years working for PT. Citra Abadi Sejati, inspires all those around her. Her co-workers say she’s kind, friendly, wise and compassionate.

9 Photo Credit: Tri Atik SulawatiMrs. Rumisih, a disciplined, hardworking and diligent woman started her career as an operator at the factory, but through tenacity and determination, has climbed ranks to a more senior position.

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Photo Credit: NurleniSri Wahyuni works in the Pattern Maker Department who loves to write in her spare time.

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They came in out of the rain in trickles, but by four in the afternoon, Better Work Indonesia had a packed house.

In conjunction with International Women’s Day, Better Work Indonesia held an informal seminar in a community densely populated with female garment workers. On Sunday 10 March, over 50 women from Kelurahan Sukapura Cakung, a Jakarta suburb, gathered to learn about harassment and bullying, health, nutrition and beauty.

Speaking first, Angesty from Yayasan Pulih, a Jakarta-based NGO focusing on mental health of victims of violence, defined harassment and bullying, and provided tangible ways the women could deal with similar situations, not just in the workplace, but also at home.

“Could inappropriate words said by my husband be considered harassment?” asked one participant.

“Of course,” said Angesty. “Harassment can come from your husband too.”

Heavy rain continued to fall outside as more and more women, some with children, filed into the meeting hall and plates of food were passed around.

Next to speak was Ibu Yani, a middle-aged woman with a fiery presentation and an easy laugh. Speaking about sexual reproductive health, Ibu Yani from Yayasan Kusuma Buana, had the audience enraptured. She covered all the basics from male and female anatomy to

In the Workers’ Kampong - Better Work Indonesia raises awareness about improved health and well being for female garment workers

HIV and sexual transmitted infections, to masturbation, a subject that elicited the most titters and stifled laughter. The presentation screen displayed real images of male and female genitals,and Ibu Yani spoke candidly about the importance of regular check-ups.

“How many of you have had a pap smear?” she asked. No one stirred. Later, a few women came up to ask Ibu Yani privately about getting their first pap smears. She urged the women to actively pursue better health care and information.

Chef Haryo, a prominent television host of “Menu & Venue” on Metro TV, spoke about healthy food options. He warned participants that fast or fried foods are the most popular in Indonesia, but that to keep healthy, one should avoid them. He also offered advice on how to cook vegetables and eat more fruits rather than frying everything.

Lastly, the participants were offered a short training on make-up application and skin care. A team from Oriflame, a cosmetics company, brought along samples and demonstrated how to apply make-up and take care of the skin. The participants found this session to be very interesting, particularly the younger women.

The event ended at seven in the evening, and we shook hands and bid farewell. Till we meet again in a different occasion!

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It happened in the blink of an eye. A factory superior casually smacked the buttocks of a young Indonesian worker as she walked past.

It caught the attention of a Better Work Indonesia staff member as he toured the facility on an assessment visit. He immediately made his way over to the woman and her boss.

“What just happened here?” he said.

She shyly replied: “He touched me.”

The manager smiled when told that behaviour is unacceptable in the workplace.

“It’s fine,” he said. “It’s very common.”

Sexual harassment in the workplace is indeed very common, according to a survey conducted in 2012 by Better Work Indonesia. It found that an alarming 85 percent of workers are concerned about sexual harassment. Furthermore, almost 80 percent of respondents said they were concerned about verbal abuse, and 87 percent cited concerns about physical abuse.

Yet only 30 percent of respondents said they reported their cases to managers or supervisors. According to a local psychologist, many victims, especially women, believe that abusive treatment is just part of the job. “Women tolerate it,” said Jackie Viemilawati, who works with an Indonesian non-government organization, Pulih Foundation. “They think they’ll lose their job if they report it.”

Viemilawati said that victim-blaming is common in Indonesia, which also prevents victims from speaking out.

The reluctance to disclose sexual harassment is part of the problem, which is rife among Indonesian workplaces, and highlights a gender-based power imbalance prevalent where a large group of women are supervised by a small group of men. This is the case in Better Work Indonesia partner factories where around 90 percent of the workforce is female occupying positions that lack authority.

There is also widespread confusion about what constitutes harassment. Mr Lee Hyun Joo, General Manager of PT. Dream Sentosa, another Better Work Indonesia factory partner, admitted that despite drafting and annually revising his factory harassment policy, even he has a hard time understanding what actually constitutes harassment.

Prevention of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

“Sometimes the definition [of harassment] changes whether it comes from buyers, government or Better Work Indonesia,” he said.

“We have trainers come into the factory, but afterwards if they ask what harassment is, only one percent can actually say what it is,” Mr Lee said.

To help workers and managers have a clear understanding of what constitutes harassment, Better Work Indonesia has developed Guidelines on the Prevention of Workplace Harassment, based on ILO conventions and adapted to the Indonesian context. The Guide will be launched in March 2013, and will be disseminated among all 50 factories that work with Better Work Indonesia.

Throughout March, Better Work Indonesia will highlight issues of harassment, sexual harassment and bullying in the workplace, first by defining each type of harassment, in order to raise awareness and encourage a zero-tolerance climate. This will include public service announcement videos and messaging via social networking linking Better Work Indonesia with workers directly. To help its factory partners achieve zero tolerance, the programme will work toward ensuring all factories have an appropriate policy in place and promote compliance with that policy.

For more information on programmes related to prevention of harassment, please contact Olivia Krishanty, Buyer Relations Advisor, at krishanty@betterwork.org.

Harassment in the workplace is unacceptable. Better Work Indonesia is working

with its partners to influence a culture of zero harassment in factories across

Indonesia (The factory mentioned in this story is not pictured here).

This newsletter is published by:

The ILO Better Work Indonesia programme. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the official views of the International Labour Organization (ILO), nor the International Finance Corporation (IFC)

For other enquiries, contact the Knowledge Management Officer at josephine@betterwork.org

Upcoming Agenda:

• In collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration and Local Manpower Offices (Labour Inspectors), Better Work Indonesia will organize Norm Refresher Training and Occupational Safety & Health Refresher Courses in Jakarta, Semarang and Bandung.

• Fire Safety Training for factories and mini exhibition on Fire Safety Equipment.

• International Buyer Forum in Hongkong (9 April).

• Occupational Safety & Health Commemoration Day (28 April)

• In collaboration with Local Manpower Offices, Better Work Indonesia is planning to hold Occupational Safety & Health Training for factories in Jakarta, Tangerang, Bogor, Karawang, Bandung and Semarang.

• World Day Against Child Labour (6 June).

• Better Work Indonesia Buyers Forum (28 June).

April-June 2013