IPTN employees return to work<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of employees of state-owned aircraft
\nmanufacturer PT IPTN in Bandung returned to work yesterday after
\nstaging a strike since last Wednesday demanding better welfare.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that the situation at the manufacturer's
\ncompound had returned to normal. Workers were no longer seen
\nhuddled together or standing before the "free speech forum"
\nerected in the lobby to vent their protest.<\/p>\n
"Most have returned to their units, although not all have
\nstarted working," the news agency quoted some employees as
\nsaying.<\/p>\n
The compound was no longer plastered with posters, effigies
\nand white banners that last Thursday and Friday were unfurled in
\nprotest over allegedly poor working conditions.<\/p>\n
"Things are returning to normal," Antara quoted an
\nunidentified company spokesperson as saying.<\/p>\n
Security officers stopped foreign and local reporters from
\nentering the complex, even if only to confirm information derived
\nfrom workers when they were still outside the compound.<\/p>\n
Some workers said that IPTN president B.J. Habibie had agreed
\nto conduct yet another meeting this morning with the workers to
\ndiscuss their 14-point "Petition of Concern".<\/p>\n
The petition is a list of demands that was delivered to
\nHabibie last Friday. The demands include the abolition of an
\nincentive for all employees, a 200 percent pay rise starting Oct.
\n1 and unlimited medical expenses for workers and their families.<\/p>\n
The workers also demanded that the Foundation of Civil
\nServants' Pension Fund be directly accountable to workers and
\nthat its reports be audited by the public accountant.<\/p>\n
They also demanded that promotion be based on a person's
\nachievement, not his or her relationship with the employers or
\ncompany executives. The workers also demanded the dismissal of
\nIPTN executives who have been proven guilty of manipulation and
\ncollusion.<\/p>\n
During the meeting Friday, Habibie said he sympathized with
\nemployees' wage demands but said the company lacked the financial
\nresources to meet them.<\/p>\n
While saying he understood the rising daily needs of his
\nemployees, Habibie said it would be difficult to meet demands for
\na 200 percent to 300 percent pay rise.<\/p>\n
Three thousand employees of the aircraft company went on
\nstrike Wednesday demanding a general improvement of welfare.<\/p>\n
Habibie, who is also State Minister of Research and
\nTechnology, said the company was already forking out Rp 25
\nbillion (US$6.9 million) for maintenance and wages each month.<\/p>\n
He said Rp 15 billion went toward the salary of IPTN's 16,000
\nemployees while the rest was for paying electricity bills and
\nother maintenance costs. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/iptn-employees-return-to-work-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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