Government delays decision on workers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Following days of violent protests in many
\ncities, the government has backed down, for now, postponing the
\nimplementation of the controversial ministerial labor decrees on
\ncompensation for workers leaving their place of employment.<\/p>\n
Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Al-Hilal Hamdi said on
\nFriday evening the implementation of decrees No. 78 and No. 111
\nhad been postponed, and that Decree No. 150\/2000, the earlier
\ndecree covering worker compensation, would come into effect for a
\nmonth while a review was held.<\/p>\n
The decision was made following a meeting chaired by
\nCoordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs
\nAgum Gumelar. The meeting came after days of labor protests
\nagainst the two decrees had virtually paralyzed some cities.<\/p>\n
The two decrees were issued by Al-Hilal in response to
\nconcerns from the business community over Decree No. 150\/2000,
\nwhich stipulated substantial payouts to workers who were
\ndismissed or resigned.<\/p>\n
The decree was issued by Al-Hilal's predecessor Bomer
\nPasaribu.<\/p>\n
Over the next month, a tripartite forum comprising employers,
\ntrade unions and government representatives will deliberate the
\nissue.<\/p>\n
The two-hour meeting on Friday was also attended by Indonesian
\nMilitary chief Adm. Widodo A.S. and National Intelligence Agency
\nchief Lt. Gen. (ret) Arie J. Kumaat.<\/p>\n
Representing the business community and labor unions at the
\nmeeting were, among others, National Business Development Council
\nchairman Sofyan Wanandi, Association of Indonesian Automotive
\nIndustries chairman Subronto Laras, Indonesian Employers
\nAssociation Djimanto and All-Indonesia Workers Union Federation
\nchairman Jacob Nua Wea.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Prosperity Trade Union chairman Muchtar Pakpahan
\nwas absent from the meeting.<\/p>\n
Jacob said postponing the implementation of the two decrees
\nwas the best choice for now. But he could not hide his
\ndissatisfaction that Agum was reluctant to discuss the decision
\nwith the public.<\/p>\n
\"Many workers are still awaiting the government's decision.
\nTherefore I have asked Pak Agum to tell the public about it,\"
\nJacob said.<\/p>\n
Decrees No. 78 and No. 111 were issued to replace decree No.
\n150, which required employers to provide severance pay and a
\nmerit of service payment to workers leaving their place of
\nemployment, even if they were dismissed.<\/p>\n
Under decree No. 150, workers are entitled to receive
\nseverance pay of 100 percent of their gross salary for each year
\nthey were employed at a company. The highest payout is 700
\npercent of gross salary for those who have worked at a company
\nfor six years or more.<\/p>\n
Regarding the service payment, employees who have worked at a
\ncompany for up to two years receive 200 percent of their salary.
\nThe highest payment is 1,000 percent of gross salary for those
\nwho have worked at a company for 24 years.<\/p>\n
Protests<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, after two days of violent labor protests, the
\nsituation in Bandung began to return to normal, with public
\ntransportation and shops beginning to resume operations.<\/p>\n
Bandung Police chief Sr. Comr. Timur Pradopo said 89 people
\nhad been questioned in connection with the unrest and nine of
\nthem were being detained.<\/p>\n
Timur added that not all of those being detained were workers.
\nHe said two of them were students and four were unemployed.<\/p>\n
\"According to our preliminary investigation, the protests were
\nnot pure labor demonstrations. The rallies were being misused by
\nother parties,\" Timur said without elaborating.<\/p>\n
In Gresik, East Java, thousands of demonstrators, riding on
\nmotorcycles and trucks, pelted stones at several factories along
\nJl. Bambe, which connects Driorejo and Panjang -- both industrial
\nareas. Panjang is 20 kilometers west of Surabaya, the provincial
\ncapital.<\/p>\n
When the demonstrators reached PT Surya Kertas, police fired
\nwarning shots and tear gas to disperse the crowd.<\/p>\n
A security post and dozens of parked cars were attacked by
\ndemonstrators during the protest.<\/p>\n
Surabaya Taman Police chief Sr. Comr. Soedirman said \"tough
\naction had to be taken because the protesters had become brutal
\nand attempted to attack our officers\".<\/p>\n
\"So far there have been no fatalities, but we brought in 10
\npeople for questioning.\"<\/p>\n
In a related development, East Java Police chief Insp. Gen.
\nSutanto said the recent wave of labor protests had been \"used by
\na third party trying to exploit the chaotic situation during the
\nprotests\".<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso said his administration
\nhad decided to bow to workers' demands and would implement decree
\nNo. 150. (02\/jun\/25\/nur\/emf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-delays-decision-on-workers-1447893297",
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