ECONOMIC CRISIS, TRADE UNION AND EDUCATION (AN OVERVIEW OF INDONESIA CASE, 1999)

Abstract

Indonesia was still enjoying the 7 % of economic growth on March 1977, when
suddenly was shocked by the rapid depreciation of rupias, especially against US
dollar. It was really a disaster, the price of imported goods became very high and
it was a very heavy and risky burden to Indonesian economic. This also
influenced the price of domestic products, due to necessity of imported
parts/materials in the production process. The crisis pushed President Soeharto to
step down and created the democracy euphoria. The right to organize was
recognized. New trade unions were found and registered neglecting strong base
membership. The decline of buying power of the people had increased the
number of millions of poor children had to quit school created the education
crisis.
Key Word : Enonomic crisis, political crisis, trade union and education.