Workers claiming their rights after nearly 20 years in insecure work arrangements were suspended at Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali. Fifty-one union members of the IUF-affiliated Federation of Hotel, Restaurant, Plaza, Apartment, Catering, and Tourism Workers’ Free Union (FSPM), employed by Angkasa Pura Supports Company at Ngurah Rai Airport, were intimidated, suspended and denied their trade union rights.
The workers first organized in 2021 when the company announced plans to lay off 360 workers, citing a decline in Bali’s tourism industry. They organized and formed a union, SPM PT. Angkasa Pura Supports Bali, joined FSPM, and fought against the layoffs. Following their successful organizing effort, management was forced to cancel the plan to lay off the 360 workers. In January 2022, management issued a decree designating them as “Project” Permanent Workers until December 2026.
However, their jobs were once again at risk. In May 2024, management announced a merger plan with another state-owned company subsidiary, which would have resulted in workers being reclassified as contract workers. The union organized protests and held meetings with management, ultimately succeeding in getting the plan cancelled. On July 12, 2024, the management officially cancelled the merger plans.
After nearly two decades of working under precarious conditions with insecure employment status, On July 22, 2024, the union sought clarification on the term “project” in the decree and demanded its removal. After many negotiation meetings and the management refusal to make them permanent, workers were forced to organize a strike from August 19-21, 2024.
On August 20, management, seeking to prevent another union victory, intimidated workers who went on strike. They suspended 51 union members and demanded they submit statements agreeing to cease union activities and accept a return to contract status as a consequence.
FSPM and IUF Asia/Pacific extend their full solidarity to the union fighting to secure permanent jobs
Four union leaders and members who refused to accept the suspension are fighting back with FSPM and have called for solidarity under the message “Our Strike is a Legal Strike.”
FSPM General Assembly on October 8-9, 2024 extended solidarity to workers fighting for secure jobs