Over 300 Bouraq employees protest dismissal plan<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): More than 300 employees of privately run Bouraq
\nIndonesia Airlines staged a demonstration at the firm's head
\noffice on Jl. Angkasa, Central Jakarta, yesterday, to protest the
\nmanagement's plan to dismiss them amid the economic crisis.<\/p>\n
The employees, consisting of pilots, flight attendants and
\ntechnicians, started the demonstration at 11 a.m. by sticking
\nposters that mocked and criticized the firm's executives on
\nwindows.<\/p>\n
Capt. Jarot H., spokesman for the demonstrating employees,
\nsaid the company's management had announced it would dismiss
\nemployees starting Sept. 1.<\/p>\n
Another employee, Rudi, said the number of employees to be
\ndismissed in stages would be 1,300. The company's total workforce
\nis 1,700.<\/p>\n
\"The company promised only to give severance pay amounting to
\nhalf the amount stated in the existing manpower regulation,\"
\nJarot said.<\/p>\n
He said the company planned to pay out the employees'
\nseverance pay in installments over one year.<\/p>\n
The protesters have rejected the plan, claiming that the
\ncompany's financial problems originated from corruption and
\ninefficiency and had not been caused by the economic crisis.<\/p>\n
Jarot said most of the employees had been given furlough since
\nFebruary and their salaries had been cut by 50 percent. The
\nemployees' monthly salaries range from Rp 2 million and Rp
\n300,000.<\/p>\n
\"We offered to continue working despite the salary cuts. But
\nthe company rejected the idea, saying that with half a salary we
\nwould lose our spirit to work,\" Jarot said.<\/p>\n
He said Bouraq currently operated four Boeing planes and four
\nsmaller planes which were wholly owned by the company.<\/p>\n
The company's former president, Benny Rungkat, met with the
\ndemonstrators and promised to deliver their demands to the
\ncompany's board of directors.<\/p>\n
\"I think the directors will still listen to me. I support your
\ndemonstration, but don't cause any damages,\" Benny told the
\nprotesters.<\/p>\n
He agreed with the protesters that the company could survive
\nif the company was clean from corrupt and inefficient practices.<\/p>\n
He disagreed with the company's attempts to dismiss the
\nemployees, saying that they were the company's priceless assets.<\/p>\n
\"The company spent billions of rupiah to improve your work
\nskills,\" Benny said.<\/p>\n
The employees dispersed at 1:30 p.m. after accepting that no
\nexecutive of the company wanted to meet them.<\/p>\n
In July, the company dismissed 21 contract flight attendants
\nand gave them severance pay of between Rp 1.5 million and Rp 3
\nmillion each.<\/p>\n
The economic crisis has severely hit the local airline
\nindustry and thousands of employees have been dismissed.<\/p>\n
The largest number was from Sempati Air, a company controlled
\nby former president Soeharto's youngest son Hutomo Mandala Putra,
\nwhich dismissed its 1,800 employees following its closure on June
\n6.<\/p>\n
Financial turmoil has also hit Mandala Airlines, forcing it to
\ndismiss 40 flight attendants. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/over-300-bouraq-employees-protest-dismissal-plan-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}