ProTV / Text and video by Stoorisoppi

In Indonesia, the trade unions in metal and mining sector have achieved during the three years project 18 000 new members. Matti Koskinen, the head of international affairs in Trade Union Pro, regards it as an excellent achievement. One of the difficulties is that the workers are afraid to unionize.

-  Although they know the benefits of unionizing, they’re scared to be dismissed, says Chandra Mahlan from the mining workers’ union CEMWU.

Differences between organized and unorganized workplaces are significant. For example, in tire manufacturer EP Tyres the wages are better than the regulated minimum wage, which is not enough for the living, but which most of the workers have to live with.