Three federations pledge to sustain grievance applications in garment sector

JAKARTA, Indonesia (ILO News) - Iwan Kusmawan, Chair of National Trade Union (SPN), Trisnur Priyanto, Chair of the Garment and Textile Trade Union Federation (Garteks) and Moch Popon, General Secretary of the Textile, Garment and Leather Trade Union Federation (FSP-TSK) proudly held up their smartphones after receiving the grievance applications from the ILO during the official handover ceremony in Jakarta this quarter. These applications were collaboratively designed through the ILO’s Strengthening Industrial Relations in Indonesia (SIRI) project, tailored to reflect each federation's distinctive identity and specific requirements in garment sector.

With over 700 participants and viewers joining both in-person and online, the event came alive as the screens lit up, unveiling each federation’s unique application—SoPaN SPN, Teman Garteks, and Hallo Siola—captivating the audiences with their innovative designs. These applications are created to facilitate the flow of complaints and the submission of aspirations from the federations’ members and/or non-members.

It is now our responsibility to ensure the sustainability of the grievance application.

Trisnur Priyanto, Chair of the Garment and Textile Trade Union Federation (Garteks)

Of the three applications, SoPaN SPN has the most extensive user base, with 2,217 workers since its official launch in May last year. It is followed by Hallo Siola, which has 840 users, and Teman Garteks with 483 users. SoPaN has registered 215 complaints and 507 aspirations, while Hallo Siola has recorded 47 complaints and 16 aspirations, and Teman Garteks has reported 31 complaints and 28 aspirations.

The primary concerns reported through the three applications focus on work facilities, workers’ welfare and relations as well as freedom of association. Although male users dominate across all three platforms, SoPaN distinguishes itself by having a comparatively greater representation of female users.

Ravindra Samithadasa, ILO’s Workers Specialist, expressed hope that the three federations would persist in implementing the application according to their plans. “It is with greater use that the trade unions in Indonesia will see the benefits of the system and how it can help them do more for themselves and their members,” he remarked.

Challenges and way forwards

© ILO

© ILO

The three federations openly acknowledged the challenges of expanding the applications' reach to a wider audience, highlighting limited socialization efforts, insufficient awareness and inconsistent internet connectivity as significant barriers in their efforts. However, they have also outlined steps to be taken to enhance the implementation of the applications moving forward, including allocating an annual budget for maintenance, conducting regular socialization programmes and appointing a dedicated IT team.

“It is now our responsibility to ensure the sustainability of the grievance application. We will certainly involve all administrators from all levels to socialise the importance of this application to our members.” stated Trisnur from Garteks.

Similarly, Moch. Popon of FSP-TSK, appreciated the benefits given by the application to his his federation. “This application is highly beneficial for our federation. Thus, we plan to establish a specific internal regulation to ensure the ownership and sustainability.” Meanwhile, Iwan from SPN noted that his federation has expanded its usage beyond the garment sector to include sectors such as palm oil.

Benefits gained by employers and workers

Suwandi, a garment worker and user of the SoPaN application, praised the digitalization of the grievance mechanism. After downloading the app on his smartphone, he shared that it made expressing his workplace aspirations remarkably simple.

“The application allows me to report work-related issues quickly through SoPaN SPN, without needing to wait for a meeting with union members. Just one click away and I can submit my report anywhere and anytime,” he said.

Confidentiality was crucial for Tri Indah Yanti, a user of the Teman Garteks application. She expressed, “Teman Garteks gives me a sense of comfort, knowing that my data is kept confidential when I submit complaints or aspirations. I also greatly appreciate the quick responses from the administrator.”

The application has greatly enhanced communication between workers and management. It provides an efficient way to convey complaints or aspirations, facilitating discussions to identify and implement solutions effectively.

Vinatukan, HR Officer at PT Indorama Ventures Indonesia

Echoing the views of Suwandi and Tri, Pepep Tauvik, an administrator of the Hallo Siola application, highlighted the importance of privacy in this grievance mechanism, which enables workers to report both personal and broader employment issues. He added, “Another benefit is that the application helps us maintain a database of common employment challenges faced by workers.”

Vinatukan, HR Officer at PT Indorama Ventures Indonesia, acknowledged the significant benefits of the application, stating, “The application has greatly enhanced communication between workers and management. It provides an efficient way to convey complaints or aspirations, facilitating discussions to identify and implement solutions effectively.”