Labor negotiation deadlocked<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The six-month-old dispute between employees and
\nmanagement of the PT Duta Busana Danastri garment company was
\nprolonged when the two sides failed to reach an agreement at
\nyesterday's negotiating session.<\/p>\n
Dozens of laborers insisted on attending the meeting at Jl.
\nKemandoran, South Jakarta, while management tolerated only their
\nrepresentatives and lawyers.<\/p>\n
\"We're going to report this case once again to the National
\nCommission on Human Rights,\" said the workers' spokeswoman, Siti
\nNurrofiqoh, adding that a member of the commission had advised
\nthem to do so.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, commission member Asmara Nababan told the
\nprotesters that they should solve their problems themselves. He
\nalso urged them to speak directly with management to settle the
\nprotracted dispute.<\/p>\n
Following his advice, dozens of protesters yesterday tried to
\nenter the factory's building through the front gate despite an
\nexecutive's furious attempts to keep them out. \"Watch your step
\nand stay out,\" he warned them.<\/p>\n
A worker leader hopelessly attempted to help her friends enter
\nthe factory's compound, as several military officers looked on.<\/p>\n
Muhammad Thamrin, the company's lawyer, argued vehemently that
\nthree legal representatives for the workers and 10 labor
\nrepresentatives would be sufficient for the meeting.<\/p>\n
However, Anton Pradjasto, one of the employee's three legal
\nrepresentatives, insisted that it was the aspiration of the
\nworkers to witness the negotiation. \"They will enter the room
\npeacefully,\" he promised.<\/p>\n
The preliminary talks between the company lawyer and the
\nlaborer's legal team turned nasty as both sides sought to defend
\ntheir arguments, during which time the protesters booed Thamrin's
\nevery remark.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of workers of PT Duta Busana Danastri, which produces
\nbrand name products such as Levi's, Gitano and Dockers, have
\nstaged almost continual protests and strikes since last November
\nto demand that management improve their working conditions.<\/p>\n
The protesters demanded that management provide transportation
\nfacilities for female employees who work at night.<\/p>\n
In a move to strengthen their bargaining position, the
\nlaborers have appointed nine lawyers from the Jakarta Social
\nInstitute, to represent them during the negotiations.<\/p>\n
According to Sandyawan Sumardi, the director of the non-
\ngovernmental organization, three of his staffers, Dewi Wilutomo,
\nAnton Pradjasto and Tri Budi Luhur, will head the team.<\/p>\n
Budi said that the employees' main gripe is the seemingly
\nrandom manner in which management shifts its workers.<\/p>\n
\"It cannot shift its workers without negotiations,\" Budi said,
\nadding that he is ready to stand up for the workers.<\/p>\n
Thamrin later told The Jakarta Post that he was sorry about
\nthe conflict and stressed the possibility that the protesters
\nwould be reprimanded.<\/p>\n
He said the management has always adhered to the government's
\nworking regulations regarding minimum wages, working insurance,
\nnight shifts and health programs.<\/p>\n
Some workers, however, disagreed with their protesting
\ncolleagues. \"Just because of those 20 workers, the company may go
\nbankrupt,\" said Nurhayati. (09)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/labor-negotiation-deadlocked-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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