PPD bus drivers demand better working climate<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Twenty-two people representing more than 12,000
\nemployees, mostly drivers, of the state-owned bus company PPD
\nwent to the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI) on Saturday
\nseeking help over their uncertain status and poor working
\nconditions.<\/p>\n
The people, who came from 14 bus pools in the city, told the
\nlocal head of the union, En Jacob Ereste, that as workers for
\nstate-owned company they were registered as members of the civil
\nservant corps (KORPRI). \"But we have never received any of the
\nfacilities usually made available for the corps members,\" said
\nIwan Raharjo Ginting, the spokesman for the complainants.<\/p>\n
Because they are considered members of the corps the workers
\nare prohibited from establishing a union. They said this makes it
\nimpossible for them to defend their rights, and that the corps
\nhas never favored them in any disputes with the management. He
\nsaid they had complained to the PPD management and the Ministry
\nof Transportation in vain.<\/p>\n
\"This uncertain position has prevented us from fighting for
\nbetter working conditions,\" Ginting said.<\/p>\n
Most of the PPD workers have been working for the bus company
\nfor 20 years. And all during that period they have been trapped
\nin the poor working conditions that keep them living in poverty,
\nIwan said.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, the workers submitted a letter of complaint to the
\nunion, copies of which were sent to the management, the House of
\nRepresentatives, the ministries of transportation and manpower,
\nJakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja, and the National Commission
\non Human Rights.<\/p>\n
In the letter signed by the head of the union's transportation
\nsector, R. Damanik, the workers revealed how the company imposes
\nunclear job assignments and insufficient allowances on them.<\/p>\n
Drivers have forced to get side jobs to pay medical expenses
\nfor themselves and their families. \"The workers deserve better
\nreimbursement rates for medical care. But they get only between
\n30 percent and 50 percent of their total medical expenses back.
\nAnd they have to wait a long time for that,\" Damanik said.<\/p>\n
Unclear job assignments have led many drivers just hanging
\naround the bus pools every day, he said.<\/p>\n
Damanik also said the management never pays any attention to
\nthe workers' educational background and working period in
\nrelation to a pay scale. There is no clear standard in payment
\nfor senior and junior staffers.<\/p>\n
\"If we are grouped as civil servants, then there should be a
\ngradual change in our status from one level to another,\" he said.
\nIn fact, drivers with 15 to 20 years working experience are
\nimproperly treated, he added.<\/p>\n
The drivers also complained on Saturday about the fees they
\nhave pay to some of the company's staff members and security
\nofficers on the road, as well as fines paid to police patrols.<\/p>\n
The complainants said they plan to march to the House of
\nRepresentatives to seek help, but did not indicate when. (03)<\/p>",
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