December 17, 1996
The ban is in response to the union's national protest action against the detention and trails of Indonesian union leaders Muchtar Pakpahan and Dita Sari now under way in Jakarta.
In a circular to branches, on December 11, MUA national office called on branches to step up action against Indonesian trade. The bans first got under way in September in protest against the detention of the two independent union leaders. Sporadic action continued over the months affecting a total of 13 ships to date. The last action was in Newcastle on Saturday, December 14. The Fujar Kanguru is on its first voyage to Darwin. It arrived in port at 8.30 this morning, but unloading was delayed due to hatch failures and the detection of rodents on board. Once loading is complete the vessel will be held in port for 24 hours.
"The Suharto Government is using the subversion laws to crush, imprison and possibly even execute any of its opponents engaged in peaceful, legitimate political and labour activity," said Joint National Secretary John Coombs. "There is no prospect of Mr Pakpahan or Ms Sari receiving a fair trial."
Mr Pakpahan heads the independent Indonesian Workers' Prosperity Union. His arrest on subversion charges and his trials have been subject to world-wide protest from the International Transport Workers' Federation and the International Confederation of World Trade Unions.
For further information:
John Coombs, MUA, (02) 9267 9134 (mobile) 0419 240264 Assistant Secretary Vic
Slater (02) 9267 9134 (mobile) 018 028 273 National Organiser Mick O'Leary (018)
640 508 Darwin port secretary Brian Manning (0419) 836925 Trevor Charles,
ITF/Australia coordinator, Tel: (044) 435 246 (044) 434 603, mobile: (0419) 413
464
