Contract system gives workers no job security<\/p>\n
Fadli, Batam<\/p>\n
A single job vacancy has drawn dozens of hopefuls, mostly in
\ntheir 20s, to an electronics assembly company in Muka Kuning,
\nhere.<\/p>\n
In the Batamindo Industrial District (KIB), the biggest such
\ndistrict on the island in Riau province, such a sight is
\ncommonplace. Although, there are 18 other industrial districts
\nwhere job-seekers may try their luck.<\/p>\n
There are more than 63,000 people working for at least 83
\nforeign companies in the KIB.<\/p>\n
Liasna Boru Sembiring, 22, a job-seeker from North Sumatra,
\nwas observed by The Jakarta Post waiting for an interview at
\nengine manufacturer PT Japan Servo, in the KIB.<\/p>\n
Liasna told the Post last week that she had worked since 2001
\nat PT Foster Electrics Indonesia (also in the KIB). The firm
\nproduces speakers for audio entertainment equipment.<\/p>\n
"I was initially working under a one-year contract, but my
\ncontract was extended for a second year, and then, for a third --
\nI decided to quit after realizing that I would not be hired
\npermanently, despite being offered another extension," she said.<\/p>\n
While working at PT Foster, Liasna's basic monthly salary was
\nRp 497,000 (US$55.00), she also received an accommodation
\nallowance of Rp 77,500, a social security subsidy of Rp 24,300, a
\nmiscellaneous allowance of Rp 278,200 and an attendance payment
\nof Rp 20,000. For working overtime she was paid Rp 3,000 per
\nhour.<\/p>\n
Liasna could earn around Rp 1 million per month, but without
\nworking overtime her take-home pay was just Rp 500,000 to Rp
\n600,000 a month.<\/p>\n
"My salary totaled Rp 1 million after working for three years.
\nBut, I couldn't understand why I was not made a permanent
\nemployee. Besides which, I was never promoted and remained an
\noperator. I was not alone though, because not many of the 2,000
\nworkers at PT Foster were employed as permanent staff.<\/p>\n
Wati, 21, expressed similar frustration that she would never
\nbe made a permanent employee of PT Sumitomo Batam Indonesia,
\nwhich manufactures rubber parts for Toyota and Daihatsu. She said
\nthat her contract was only extended by three months at a time,
\nand many of her friends had been told that their contracts would
\nnot be renewed.<\/p>\n
"I feel stressed toward the end of each three-month period. I
\npray more, so that -- God willing -- my contract will be
\nextended," said Wati.<\/p>\n
Both Wati and Liasna say they have set aside part of their
\nsalaries each month, in case they lose their jobs.<\/p>\n
After paying their rent, buying food and sending home some
\nmoney to support their families, they save what's left.<\/p>\n
"Saving is important. If our contracts were not extended we
\nwould be ashamed to go home," said Wati, who also comes from West
\nSumatra.<\/p>\n
Almost half of the 172,709 workers on Batam are employed
\naccording to the Work Contract Between Required Time (KKWT)
\nsystem. While most feel apprehensive working under the system,
\nthey have no choice but to accept it.<\/p>\n
Likewise, amid high unemployment on Batam, many are often so
\neager to work that they overlook the terms of their new
\ncontracts.<\/p>\n
Coordinator of the Riau Islands Indonesian Prosperous Labor
\nUnion (SBSI) Bambang Yulianto, expressed concern over the KKWT
\nsystem that has been applied by hundreds of companies on Batam.<\/p>\n
He criticized the system as benefiting the companies rather
\nthan the workers.<\/p>\n
Workers nearing the end of their second contract had good
\nreason to worry, claimed Bambang, as it was common knowledge that
\nmost would not be employed for a third year.<\/p>\n
"It's a bitter reality, but what can the workers do? They do
\nnot receive severance pay -- not even a thank you note," he said.<\/p>\n
According to the law, only permanently employed workers are
\nentitled to severance pay.<\/p>\n
Bambang urged businesspeople to no longer implement the KKWT
\nsystem, arguing that based on Law No. 13\/2003 on manpower,
\nworkers must go through a two-year probation period before being
\nappointed as permanent staff. Their contract would be terminated
\nonly if they were considered incompetent, he said.<\/p>\n
"We call for the government, in this case the manpower
\nminister, to uphold labor regulations in line with the manpower
\nlaw.<\/p>\n
"Companies hiring contractual workers without assuring them of
\ntheir work status should be given harsh sanctions, so that the
\nemployees can be optimistic about the future," he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/contract-system-gives-workers-no-job-security-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}