Workers Threaten National Action If The RI-US Trade Agreement Is Not Revoked

Rupiah and US Dollars (Photo: dock. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) and the Labor Party firmly rejected the trade agreement between Indonesia and the United States (US) which was considered dangerous because it opened up opportunities for the transfer of Indonesian citizens' personal data to foreign jurisdictions.

The President of KSPI and the President of the Labor Party, Said Iqbal strongly condemned the agreement which was considered a serious violation of the sovereignty of the country and the human rights of the people.

"How is it possible that personal data from citizens can be transferred to other countries? On what basis does the Indonesian economic team approve access to Indonesian people's data to foreign countries, without the permission and knowledge of the people, especially the workers?" asked Iqbal in his statement, Thursday, July 24.

Therefore, KSPI and the Labor Party demanded that the government immediately revoke the agreement. Otherwise, his party threatens to mobilize massive demonstrations throughout Indonesia. "Revoke this agreement, or we will carry out a massive action down the street!" Iqbal threatened.

According to Iqbal, the Indonesian people, including the workers, have never given authority to the government to sell their personal data to foreign countries. "This is not only a matter of trade, but a matter of the principles and self-esteem of the nation," he said.

In addition to personal data, Iqbal also highlighted the inequality in trade rates between Indonesia and the US which are increasingly detrimental to Indonesia. He criticized President Donald Trump's era tariff policy, which raised import duties for Indonesian products by up to 19 percent, while products from the US were free to enter Indonesia without duties.

"During Trump's time, Indonesia's goods tariffs to the US were increased by 19 percent, while goods from the United States to Indonesia could enter without duties or 0 percent. This is a tangible form of economic occupation of a new model of neoliberalism and neocolonialism," he said.

He reminded that the unequal trade policy had a negative impact on labor-intensive industries in Indonesia and caused a wave of layoffs (PHK).

"That alone has destroyed the lives of millions of workers. Now, our personal data is being sold to other countries. This is a form of betrayal of the people," said Iqbal.

The US President, Donald Trump, has publicly disclosed the framework of the latest trade agreement between the US and Indonesia. This agreement includes various important points, including reciprocal rates and digital cooperation commitments between the two countries.

In the spotlight, this agreement also touched on the issue of transferring personal data from Indonesia to America. In the official document, it is stated that Indonesia will provide legal certainty over the company's ability to transfer personal data to the US.