Batam workers demand job security<\/p>\n
Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam<\/p>\n
Hundreds of people gathered in front of PT NOK, an electronics
\ncomponent manufacturer in Batam's Batamindo Industrial Zone
\n(KIB), which is better known as the Muka Kuning Industrial Zone.
\nThe people were looking for work at PT NOK, and if unsuccessful
\nthey would simply move on to the next company in the industrial
\nzone.<\/p>\n
This sort of \"migration\" of workers occurs because many of the
\npeople employed in the Batamindo Industrial Zone never attain the
\nstatus of permanent employee. Some may have their contracts
\nextended for one year, two years or even three years, but they
\nnever achieve the security of permanent status.<\/p>\n
Companies that continue to extend the contracts of workers but
\nnever give them permanent status are in violation of the Fixed
\nPeriod Work Contract (KKWT). Under this scheme, based on Law No.
\n13\/2003 on manpower, workers must be made permanent within two
\nyears at most, as outlined in Article 59 of the law.<\/p>\n
This article states that workers can go through a probation
\nperiod of two years at most before being appointed permanent
\nemployees or dismissed if found unqualified. However, many
\ncompanies do not obey this regulation.<\/p>\n
Batam Manpower Office head Pirma Marpaung said his office had
\nfamiliarized domestic and foreign investors with the law in order
\nto avoid any labor disputes.<\/p>\n
\"We have called on investors to implement the KKWT for just
\none year and then make the concerned workers permanently after
\nthat. But many investors have not heeded our calls,\" said Pirma,
\nadding that the government could do nothing because the
\nregulation did not carry any sanctions for violators.<\/p>\n
The regional chief coordinator of the Riau Islands Indonesian
\nProsperity Trade Union, Bambang Yulianto, expressed concern over
\nthe KKWT system implemented by hundreds of companies on Batam.<\/p>\n
According to Bambang, the system benefited companies at the
\nexpense of workers. If companies keep extending the contracts of
\nworkers without ever giving them permanent status, and then
\ndecide to terminate the contracts there is nothing workers can do
\nbut accept the decision. They will be out of job without any
\nseverance pay, or even a thank you note.<\/p>\n
\"It is a fact that workers who have been employed by a company
\nfor two years and then their contracts are not extended, they
\ncannot demand anything,\" said Bambang.<\/p>\n
One businessman defended the contract system, saying it was
\ncrucial to keep businesses competitive. He said the system helped
\nbusinesses stay abreast of rapid business development, allowing
\nthem to remain efficient.<\/p>\n
\"Orders for products are constantly changing. Sometimes we
\nneed more workers, others fewer workers. We could not survive if
\nwe used the permanent job system,\" said Abidin, the owner of an
\nelectronics assembly factory with some 8,000 workers.<\/p>\n
The contract system is just one problem plaguing the manpower
\nsector in Batam. Among the other problems in need of addressing
\nis rising number of jobless and falling worker productivity.<\/p>\n
Batam is a prominent industrial city that benefits from its
\nproximity to Singapore. Many foreign and domestic firms have
\nbuilt factories in Batam and ship their products to Singapore's
\nports before dispatching them worldwide.<\/p>\n
With so many factories in the city, it has attracted workers
\nfrom across the country. There were 221,163 workers registered in
\nthe city in September this year.<\/p>\n
The city has also attracted expatriates, with 3,097
\nexpatriates registered at 797 firms in the city, according to a
\nspokesman for the Batam Authority.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/batam-workers-demand-job-security-1447893297",
"image": ""
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