The union’s successes, including before the Constitutional Court, drew the anger of many powerful interests in Indonesia, which spent untold funds and time to undermine the powerful energy union SP-PLN.

After a long period focusing on these attacks, the unions are back on the offensive, fighting to preserve public ownership and control of the national energy system. PSI actively supports the energy unions in this fight, and to secure a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon public electricity system.

Letter

Dear President Widodo,

Solidarity greetings from Public Services International (PSI).

PSI is a global union federation of more than 700 trade unions representing 30 million workers in 154 countries. We bring their voices to the UN, ILO, WHO and other regional and global organisations. We defend trade union and workers’ rights and demand universal access to quality public services.

We and our affiliates in the energy sector in Indonesia namely Serikat Pekerja PT PLN Persero (SP PLN Persero), Persatuan Pegawai PT Indonesia Power (PP IP), and Serikat Pekerja PT Pembangkitan Jawa Bali (SP PJB), strongly reject the efforts to privatise, through merger of several state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and their subsidiaries into a holding company.

Currently, the Ministry of SOE plans to form a holding company for geothermal and steam-coal power plants, which specially for geothermal will be separated from the government-owned PLN. After forming a separate holding company, the assets and shares will be sold through initial public offerings (IPO).

Mr. President, the Indonesian Constitutional Court decided that any attempt to privatise the electricity, in any form, is unconstitutional. The Constitutional Court asserts that electricity is a sector of production which is important for the country and affects the life of the people. Therefore, as mandated by article 33 paragraph (2) of the Indonesian Constitution 1945, electricity must be under the powers of the state (Constitutional Court decision No. 001-021-022/PUU-I/2003, on Judicial Review of Law No. 20 of 2004 on Electricity on page 334, and Decision No.111/PUU-XIII/2015, on Judicial Review of Law No. 30 of 2009 on electricity, page 103). Electricity is a necessity, of strategic importance to the country and impacts the lives of all Indonesians. The government must keep ownership and work to ensure universal access and a just and equitable transition to low-carbon generation.

Privatisation of energy services will not enable universal access nor allow the urgent transition to low-carbon generation, as required in the Paris Climate Accords (Indonesia pledged to reduce greenhouse emission as much as 29% by 2030 by increasing the use of renewable energies up to 23% of the total national consumption by 2025). Recent reports from the International Energy Agency demonstrate that private energy companies are not able to make the transition to low-carbon electricity production, as their profit streams depend on access to cheap fossil fuels.

Once in private hands, the priority will be to manage the energy systems to extract as much profit as possible in the shortest possible time. Private operators will increase tariffs or demand higher public subsidies. They will find excuses not to serve the poor or outlying areas. Their extracted profits will likely be exported from Indonesia. As well, the companies buying the shares will use all their power to influence the Indonesian political system, such that laws and regulations are written and implemented in their favour.

These are facts that PSI has collected in the countries where energy has been privatised. A few will profit immensely, will reap public subsidies and regrettably, distort both the political process and the energy system.

In fact, many governments that experienced the ills of privatisation are working to take back control of these public services. The private sector promises of new investments, greater efficiency and lower tariffs have almost universally failed to materialise.

Indonesia is duty-bound, as enshrined in its Constitution, to keep electricity under public ownership and control. The PT PLN is the state agency that has the authority to provide electricity to the people of Indonesia. PT PLN has proven, time and again, with its experience managing and operating electricity assets that it is able to provide reliable and affordable electricity to the people and businesses of Indonesia.

It is out of deep respect that we write this letter. We are willing to meet with whomever Your Excellency designates to share our experience of over 40 years of problematic privatisations. The energy unions of Indonesia stand ready to support a national energy strategy which meets the needs of all Indonesians and meets its commitments to the Paris Climate Accords.

Respectfully,

ROSA PAVANELLI
PSI General Secretary

Cc

1. Mr Erick Thohir, Minister State Own Enterprises Republic of Indonesia (Email: pendok.kbumn@bumn.go.id and kbumn.ri@bumn.go.id)

2. Mr Zulkifli Ali, President Director, PT PLN Persero (Email: zulkifli.zaini@pln.co.id)

3. Mr Amien Sunaryadi, President Commissioner & Independent Commissioner, PT PLN Persero (Email: amien.sunaryadi@pln.co.id)

4. Mr. M. Ahsin Sidqi, President Director, PT Indonesia Power (Email: ahsin.sidqi@indonesiapower.co.id)

5. Mr. Mohamad Oemar, President Commissioner, PT Indonesia Power (Email: mohamad.oemar@indonesiapower.co.id)

6. Mr. Gong Matua Hasibuan, President Director, PT Pembangkitan Jawa Bali (Email: gong.matua@ptpjb.com)

7. Mr. Sriyono D. Siswoyo, President Commissioner, PT Pembangkitan Jawa Bali (Email: sriyonods@gmail.com)

8. All PSI affiliated unions:

PSI in the media

PSI Sends Letter To President Jokowi, Supports PLN Group Workers Union Rejects BUMN Privatization

Public Services International (PSI), a global union federation of more than 700 trade unions representing 30 million workers in 154 countries sent a letter to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

https://voi.id/en/economy/85445/psi-sends-letter-to-president-jokowi-supports-pln-group-workers-union-rejects-bumn-privatization

PSI Surati Jokowi: Privatisasi PLN Lumpuhkan Akses Universal - Ragam Indonesia

Mahkamah Konstitusi telah memutuskan bahwa usaha apapun untuk memprivatisasi listrik, dalam bentuk apapun, bertentangan dengan UUD 1945.

https://ragamindonesia.pikiran-rakyat.com/nasional/pr-1612605442/psi-surati-jokowi-privatisasi-pln-lumpuhkan-akses-universal

http://bisnisjakarta.co.id/2021/09/16/psi-sp-pln-tolak-privatisasi-pln-untuk-holding-company-pltp/

Federasi Serikat Global Mendukung Serikat Pekerja PLN Group Tolak Holdingnisasi dan Privatisasi - Sonora.id

https://www.sonora.id/read/422892095/federasi-serikat-global-mendukung-serikat-pekerja-pln-group-tolak-holdingnisasi-dan-privatisasi

https://suarakarya.co.id/rosa-pavanelli-privatisasi-pln-rusak-amanat-konstitusi-dan-rugikan-rakyat/35583/

Privatisasi PLTP–PLTU Bisa Bikin Target Paris Agreement Jadi Keok | Ekonomi

Berita Politik, Ekonomi dan Nasional

https://www.gatra.com/detail/news/522842/ekonomi/privatisasi-pltppltu-bisa-bikin-target-paris-agreement-jadi-keok

Serikat Pekerja Surati Jokowi, Ingatkan Bahaya IPO & Privatisasi PLN

Surat ini dilayangkan menyikapi rencana privatisasi dan initial public offering (IPO) alias penawaran umum perdana BUMN sektor ketenagalistrikan.

https://kumparan.com/kumparanbisnis/serikat-pekerja-surati-jokowi-ingatkan-bahaya-ipo-and-privatisasi-pln-1wXBKDiF7Y1

Penolakan holding PLTP mendapat dukungan PSI - ANTARA News Banten

Ketua Umum SP PLN, M Abrar Ali mengatakan penolakan pembentukan holding Pembangkit Listrik Panas Bumi (PLTP) juga mendapat dukungan dari Public Service ...

https://banten.antaranews.com/berita/185345/penolakan-holding-pltp-mendapat-dukungan-psi

SP PLN Didukung Serikat Global, Presiden Jokowi Langsung Dikirimi Surat! Tolak IPO

Penolakan rencana Initial Public Offering (IPO) dan holdingnisasi terhadap Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Panas Bumi (PLTP) dan Pembangkit Listrik

https://amp.wartaekonomi.co.id/berita361038/sp-pln-didukung-serikat-global-presiden-jokowi-langsung-dikirimi-surat-tolak-ipo

Tegas, Serikat Pekerja PLN Tolak Holdingisasi dan Privatisasi Usaha PLN

Serikat Kerja PLN Group secara tegas menolak holdingisasi terhadap Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Panas Bumi (PLTP) dan Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Uang (PLTU). Sekretaris...

https://ekbis.sindonews.com/read/541548/34/tegas-serikat-pekerja-pln-tolak-holdingisasi-dan-privatisasi-usaha-pln-1631704145

Federasi Serikat Global Dukung SP PLN Group Tolak Holdingnisasi dan Privatisasi - Koran-Jakarta.com

JAKARTA - Sekretaris Jenderal Pegawai PT Indonesia Power (PPIP), Andy Wijaya mengatakan Serikat Kerja PLN Group tidak sendirian dalam menolak holdingnisasi terh

https://koran-jakarta.com/federasi-serikat-global-dukung-sp-pln-group-tolak-holdingnisasi-dan-privatisasi

Serikat Pekerja PLN Group Dapat Dukungan Federasi Global

Serikat Pekerja PLN Group Dapat Dukungan Federasi Global

https://m.medcom.id/ekonomi/bisnis/3NO9J2zk-serikat-pekerja-pln-group-dapat-dukungan-federasi-global

Tolak Holding Panas Bumi, SP PLN Group Dapat Dukungan Serikat Pekerja Global

Organisasi dengan lebih dari 700 serikat pekerja yang mewakili 30 juta pekerja di 154 negara ini mendukung langkah yang ditempuh SP PLN dan anak perusahaan

https://mediaindonesia.com/ekonomi/432963/tolak-holding-panas-bumi-sp-pln-group-dapat-dukungan-serikat-pekerja-global

PSI Kirim Surat ke Presiden Jokowi, Dukung Serikat Pekerja PLN Group Tolak Privatisasi BUMN

Public Services International (PSI), sebuah federasi serikat global yang beranggotakan lebih dari 700 serikat pekerja yang mewakili 30 juta pekerja di 154 negara mengirimkan surat kepada Presiden Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

https://voi.id/ekonomi/85445/psi-kirim-surat-ke-presiden-jokowi-dukung-serikat-pekerja-pln-group-tolak-privatisasi-bumn

Surati Jokowi, Serikat Pekerja Global Tolak Pembentukan Holding dan Privatisasi BUMN Kelistrikan - Tribunnews.com

Mahkamah Konstitusi telah memutuskan bahwa usaha apapun untuk memprivatisasi listrik, dalam bentuk apapun, bertentangan dengan UUD 45

https://www.tribunnews.com/bisnis/2021/09/15/surati-jokowi-serikat-pekerja-global-tolak-pembentukan-holding-dan-privatisasi-bumn-kelistrikan

PSI Ikut Tolak Penggabungan BUMN Jadi Satu Perusahaan Holding - Indoposco.id

Di dalam surat yang ditanda tangani Sekretaris Jenderal (Sekjen) PSI Rosa Pavanelli tersebut menyatakan, bahwa PSI dan afiliasinya di sektor ketenagalistrikan

https://indoposco.id/psi-ikut-tolak-penggabungan-bumn-jadi-satu-perusahaan-holding/

Serikat Pekerja Tolak Holdingisasi dan Privatisasi Usaha PLN, Ini Alasannya : Okezone Tren

Serikat Kerja PLN Group menolak tegas holdingisasi terhadap Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Panas Bumi PLTP - Tren

https://www.okezone.com/tren/read/2021/09/15/620/2471911/serikat-pekerja-tolak-holdingisasi-dan-privatisasi-usaha-pln-ini-alasannya

Serikat Pekerja PLN Group Kirim Surat ke Jokowi Menolak Privatisasi - Hallo Banten

Begitu listrik terprivatisasi, prioritas swasta adalah mengelola sistem energi untuk menghasilkan keuntungan besar dalam waktu singkat.

https://banten.hallo.id/nasional/pr-561171175/serikat-pekerja-pln-group-kirim-surat-ke-jokowi-menolak-privatisasi

Serikat Pekerja PLN Menolak Privitasi Merger dari Beberapa BUMN

AKURATNEWS – Perjuangan Serikat Pekerja PLN Group menolak privatisasi mendapat dukungan Federasi Serikat Pekerja Global, Public Services Interna...

https://akuratnews.com/serikat-pekerja-pln-menolak-privitasi-merger-dari-beberapa-bumn/

Federasi Serikat Pekerja Global Tolak Holdingisasi dan Privatisasi Pembangkit Listrik

JAKARTA, Indotimes.co.id- Gelombang penolakan terhadap rencana Kementerian BUMN membentuk holding company untuk pembangkit panas bumi (PLTP) dan

https://www.indotimes.co.id/31435/2021/09/15/federasi-serikat-pekerja-global-tolak-holdingisasi-dan-privatisasi-pembangkit-listrik/

https://www.neraca.co.id/article/152033/serikat-pekerja-pln-group-tolak-privatisasi-pln-dan-anak-usahanya

https://www.msn.com/id-id/berita/other/serikat-pekerja-pln-group-dapat-dukungan-federasi-global/ar-AAOuP2v?li=AAuZNMP

Petroenergy

Petroenergy.id, Jakarta - Public Services International (PSI) sebuah federasi serikat pekerja global

https://www.petroenergy.id/article/federasi-serikat-pekerja-global-dukung-sp-pln-batalkan-rencana-privatisasi

https://www.beritasatu.com/ekonomi/828439/upaya-sp-pln-tolak-privatisasi-dapat-dukungan-federasi-serikat-global

https://elshinta.com/news/245681/2021/09/15/federasi-serikat-global-dukung-sp-pln-group-tolak-holdingnisasi-dan-privatisasi

https://katadata.co.id/happyfajrian/berita/6141d6e86b808/serikat-pekerja-global-dukung-penolakan-holdingisasi-bumn-listrik

Resources

#Akhil Bhartiya Sinchai Karmachari Mahasangh

#Indonesia

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