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Police are forever the friends of industry, and never of labor organizations, much less any single laborer, representatives of the nation’s unions told National Police Chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri on Tuesday, in a meeting facilitated by Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar.

Nining Elitos, coordinator of the Indonesian Trade Union Alliance (KASBI), said laborers were often arrested because the police consistently remain on the side of industry.

“When we laborers hit the streets and hold a rally, police will beat us, fight with us, and some of us end up getting arrested for no reason at all,” said Nining, one of the representatives of 25 labor organizations and union workers. They were discussing their problems with the police chief in a meeting aimed at strengthening the police’s perception of what labor unions and their members face when fighting for labor rights.

“When we file a police report against a company for not paying our social security funds, for instance, police will drop the case over lack of evidence,” Nining said.

The meeting comes a week before the ministry is scheduled to formulate a memorandum of understanding with the National Police on labor disputes and police handling of such cases.

Nining said police should treat both parties fairly. “I hope the MoU will not merely be an MoU, but define how they work and defend justice,” she said.

Muhaimin hoped that a comprehensive understanding of the issues would mean the police would not immediately bring criminal charges against laborers involved in disputes.

“Ideally workers would not be harassed over matters related to industrial relationships, but of course if they involve themselves in criminal activities, they will be charged,” Muhaimin stated on Tuesday.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Edward Aritonang said the police chief had instructed the force to conclude all its outstanding labor-related investigations as soon as possible.

Muhaimin added that while existing regulations could be interpreted in a number of ways, the majority of labor disputes were civil, not criminal cases, but they often ended up in criminal courts.

Bambang said labor issues were not “black and white,” but involved all three parties — industry, the government and laborers.

“We are trying to find the best solution so that everyone can feel that they are being protected [equally],” Bambang said. “We will speed up the MoU discussion between the police and the ministry and will also invite labor organizations to state their opinion.”

He added the police would educate officers in the regions to give them a broad understanding of industrial relationships.