Union intimidation is a tangible barrier to improved conditions in Indonesia. It is common for union leaders to be fired for attempting to organize, whilst others face intimidation and threats. Recent research by ITGLWF covering 18 factories in Indonesia found that all 18 factories had taken anti-union measures.The signing of this freedom of association protocol is an important first step in improving the situation for the hundreds of thousands of sportswear workers facing low wages and poor conditions.

Practical steps

The pact, if fully implemented, will directly improve organizing in sportswear supplier factories and protect unionised workers’ rights to campaign for better conditions. Practical steps included in the agreement include: use of meeting and office space within factories; agreement to release union leaders from duties to fulfil union work and facilitate meetings within working hours; use of company vehicles; union flags to be displayed at the factory; and provision of notice boards for union announcements in prominent factory spaces.

Prominent Indonesian trade unionist Lilis Mahmudah said “This protocol is important because our law does not cover technical implementation of freedom of association. The agreement will ensure brands take responsibility to ensure respect for union rights”

The agreement was made possible by the Play Fair campaign, which since 2004 has been campaigning for global sportswear brands to take concrete steps to improve conditions in their supply chains. Through reports, meetings with companies and lobbying, Play Fair representatives worked to bring about the negotiations which emerged out of the Beijing Olympics, and have taken part supporting unions and their demands throughout the two year process.

Implementation is the key

Whilst the signing of this freedom of association protocol is an important step, the real test for hundreds of thousands of Indonesian sportswear workers facing low wages and poor conditions, will be in the successful implementation of the agreement across all sportswear supplier factories.

The Play Fair global alliance will be closely monitoring the implementation of the protocol over the coming months and will continue to call for concrete steps towards respect for freedom of association in other sportswear-producing countries.