Indonesian worker to recount plight<\/p>\n
SERANG, West Java: A shoe factory worker has gone to the
\nUnited States, financed by labor and human rights activists,
\nreportedly to settle the claims of her and other workers who have
\nbeen fired by her company.<\/p>\n
A legislator in Jakarta welcomed the plan of Cicih Sukaesih, a
\nformer employee at the Sung Hwa Dunia factory in Serang that made
\nworld-renowned brand Nike sportswear, to recount her plight
\nabroad, saying it will remind the government about the labor
\nsituation here.<\/p>\n
\"Let her go. It's her right,\" said Sunardjo of House
\nCommission VI for labor affairs.<\/p>\n
Cicih used to earn US$1 a day in the factory. In 1991, the
\nofficially-set minimum wage was raised to US$1.25, but the
\nfactory refused to pay it. Some 600 workers went on strike but
\nwere made to return to work by the company, helped by the
\nmilitary and police.<\/p>\n
In 1992, Cicih and 23 others who had led the strike for better
\nwages were fired. The International Herald Tribune reported on
\nSaturday that the factory, which has since been taken over by a
\ndifferent operator and whose name has been changed to Eltri (also
\nunder contract to Nike), has increased the wages but Cicih and
\nher colleagues have not been rehired.<\/p>\n
Cicih left for America on Saturday and will reportedly stay
\nfor two weeks. Her trip is being paid for by labor and human
\nrights activists who want Nike to settle the claims of the
\nworkers and agree to independent monitoring as a safeguard
\nagainst abuses in its factories.<\/p>\n
Suraji Idris of the All-Indonesia Workers Union Federation
\nsaid he knew nothing of Cicih's trip, but felt that the move was
\nnot necessary as Indonesian workers should settle their problems
\nat home.<\/p>\n
An Eltri official, N. Setianto, refused to comment.<\/p>\n
A labor rights advocate, who refused to be identified, only
\nconfirmed Cicih's trip. (31)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesian-worker-to-recount-plight-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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