Over 700 workers denied wages<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Over 700 West Java workers urged the National
\nCommission of Human Rights yesterday to make a government-owned
\nplantation company pay them their past 20 months wages, which it
\nhas denied them.<\/p>\n
Twenty three people claiming to represent 706 workers of PD
\nGemah Ripah, Garut, told commission members that the firm has not
\npaid their wages since April 1993, for unconvincing reasons.<\/p>\n
\"The management of PD Gemah Ripah has told us that it has gone
\nbankrupt,\" delegation leader Koko Koswara told commission members
\nMunawir Sjadzali and Soegiri.<\/p>\n
He said all the workers could not accept the reason and would
\nlike to know the company's real financial condition because the
\ncompany's financial statement was made without being audited.<\/p>\n
\"PD Gemah Ripah has only granted us weekly loans ranging from
\nRp 2,000 (US87 cents) to Rp 5,000 ($2.2) per week since then,\"
\nKoko said.<\/p>\n
He said the firm's management kept the workers hopes for their
\nwages alive by giving them loans they may repay when the company
\nregains its financial strength and is able to pay their regular
\nsalaries.<\/p>\n
Munawir told the workers that the commission was concerned
\nabout the workers' plight and promised to send a fact finding
\nteam to Garut.<\/p>\n
He called on the workers to remain calm and avoid any actions
\nthat may provoke violence.<\/p>\n
According to Koko, the workers used to get Rp 2,000 to Rp
\n2,500 per day, or Rp 75,000 to Rp 80,000 per month.<\/p>\n
He said that the money lent to them by the company did not
\ncover their daily expenses, let alone pay for their children's
\nschool fees or for medical expenses.<\/p>\n
\"Some of our children had to drop out of school and some of us
\ncannot afford to see the doctor,\" Koko said.<\/p>\n
The workers have brought their plight to the company
\nmanagement, ruling political organization Golkar, related
\ngovernment officials and the House of Representatives in Jakarta
\nbut all ended in vain. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/over-700-workers-denied-wages-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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