Levi Strauss's decision draws various reactions<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The decision of San Francisco-based Levi Strauss
\n& Co., the manufacturer of Levi's and Dockers brand clothing, to
\nstop its contract with the Jakarta-based PT Duta Busana Danastri
\ngarment factory has drawn various reactions from a number of
\nexperts here.<\/p>\n
Frans Hendra Winarta, a noted lawyer, praised the action as
\nproving that an American company can have a commitment to
\nestablishing workers' rights despite a profit-oriented policy.
\n"It will set a good precedent."<\/p>\n
The representative manager of Levi Strauss confirmed here on
\nMonday that his company has stopped placing orders with PT Duta
\nBusana Danastri on the grounds that the Indonesian company is
\nignoring guidelines on workers' rights.<\/p>\n
"It's true. We don't place further orders with them," Johnny
\nTse said, contradicting an earlier statement from the executive
\nof the local garment company, who tried to cancel the termination
\nof orders.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Tse's headquarters informed The Jakarta Post that
\nLevi Strauss & Co. has traditionally enforced a rule with its
\nlocal partners, which requires that the local companies obey
\nlocal laws, respect workers' rights and provide a good and
\nhealthy work environment.<\/p>\n
Teten Masduki, a labor specialist of the Indonesian Legal Aid
\nFoundation, said he doubted whether Levi Strauss has a sincere
\ncommitment to labor rights.<\/p>\n
There are 25 garment factories in Indonesia, which take orders
\nfrom Levi Strauss, 12 of which have been recorded to have serious
\nproblems with their workers.<\/p>\n
He doubted whether Levi Strauss would thoroughly check the
\nworking conditions at those companies as such an undertaking
\nwould likely hamper its drive to reduce production costs by
\ncontracting its output to Third World countries such as
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Good example<\/p>\n
Economist Didik J. Rachbini, called the decision "a good
\nexample" for other entrepreneurs to follow. "We can no longer be
\neconomic animals."<\/p>\n
Secretary of the International NGO Forum on Indonesian
\nDevelopment Agustinus Rumansara said that he doubted if the
\ndecision was really motivated by the workers' interests.<\/p>\n
Tse declined to give further details, saying that his branch
\noffice here is not authorized to deal with such a "high level
\ndecision."<\/p>\n
In the latest development, the workers and the management of
\nPT Duta Busana Danastri agreed on Monday to establish a new union
\nunit and an arbitration body whose election will be held
\ndemocratically.<\/p>\n
The workers' spokesman said that during the negotiations the
\nmanagement refused to raise their wages, not even one rupiah.<\/p>\n
Company chairman Siegfried Tedjojuwono, who briefed his staff
\nprior to the four-hour meeting, declined to comment.<\/p>\n
Yesterday the company was busy preparing to welcome members of
\nthe National Commission on Human Rights and the Ministry of
\nManpower who are scheduled to visit the factory today. (anr\/09)<\/p>",
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