| This book is about the creation and enforcement of labour law in Indonesia, a topic that reflects the broader processes of social and political change in the country. Its starting point is the notion of the trade union as a crucial institution in any modern industrial capitalist society, with the potential of promoting some measure of equity and social justice in society. The book discusses three case-studies relating to three major pieces of labour legislation enacted since the Reformasi of 1998 in Indonesia. The first is about trade union legislation, the second about minimum wage policy, and the third about the Industrial Relations Court. These cases show how labour law in Indonesia is best understood as the result of the struggles between different social groups and competing ideologies, which change over time. The author argues that despite all the problems and challenges there remains hope for the development of a sound and effective labour law in Indonesia. This is due in particular to the development of the trade union movement in the country. Unions form a countervailing power against capital and corporate power, and may thus ensure that the results of development are redistributed fairly throughout society. They are also agents of education: their efforts to develop new labour laws and enforce labour standards make workers aware of their rights and may even help in developing a higher degree of rights-consciousness in society more generally. |