Indonesia: Learning about the Bolivarian Revolution through a Movie

In the industrial city Gresik, on October 18^th 2009, around twenty people gathered to watch and discuss the documentary No Volveran. This documentary tells a story about the Venezuelan Revolution and the struggle of the Sanitarios Maracay workers to occupy their factory and run it under workers’ control. The enthusiasm of those present was evident. This could be seen in the discussion following the screening. During the discussion, the attendee tried to draw a connection from what has been done by the trade unions in Venezuela.

The screening was initiated by the trade union SPBI (Indonesian Workers Struggle Solidarity) in Gresik and Hands Off Venezuela Indonesia; Jesus S. Anam from HOV was present as a speaker. Jesus S. Anam explained the history of the movement in Venezuela and the gains of the workers movement there, and what has been done by the Venezuelan working class can be an inspiration for the workers in Indonesia, especially in Gresik.

In this discussion, the attendee tried to reflect on the workers movement in Gresik. They said that they workers movement in Gresik is still very much trapped in normative issues and many of its leaders are dominated by yellow trade unions. Even though a common secretariat has been formed but this has yet to solve the needs of the workers.

According to one of the attendee, the political situation had become less and less favorable for the workers, and the rampant outsourcing in Gresik as well as the apathy amongst the workers are the main obstacles in building the trade unions in Gresik. The fundamental problem faced by the workers is the absence of a revolutionary political leadership as a tool for struggle.

The atomization of trade unions, according to another attendee, has also become a stumbling block for the workers’ struggle. Furthermore, the alliance building between trade unions has always been hindered by some trade union leaders who are more concerned about their existence and also a pragmatic attitude.

At the end of the discussion, the audience who were pessimistic before became consolidated. After watching No Volveran, there was an agreement to close ranks by organizing political classes in the workers’ quarters regularly once every two weeks. The audience, the majority of whom were workers, truly got a fresh wind – that there is still a hope for the working class to struggle for a common welfare.

Long live socialism!