PT DI workers oppose massive labor dismissal<\/p>\n
Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung<\/p>\n
Four thousand workers of Bandung-based aircraft manufacturer PT
\nDirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) went on strike on Friday to protest
\nthe company's reported plan to lay off 3,500 workers.<\/p>\n
The workers, organized by the Communication Forum for PT DI
\nWorkers (FKK), laid down their tools for two hours and picketed
\noutside the company's front office.<\/p>\n
\"We want the board of directors to explain the rumors of the
\nmass dismissal of 3,000 workers,\" said FKK chairman Arif Minardi
\non Friday.<\/p>\n
According to Arif, the workers also sought clarification about
\nthe government's plan to reshuffle the board of directors as
\nmentioned by State Minister of State Enterprises Laksamana
\nSukardi.<\/p>\n
Previous reports said the company would lay off 3,500 from the
\ntotal of 9,600 workers to make the company more efficient. The
\nplan will be discussed during the company's shareholders meeting
\nlater this month.<\/p>\n
Kompas daily reported company spokesman Rakhendi Triyatna as
\nsaying that the measure was part of efforts to improve the
\ncompany's performance, which had deteriorated since the onset of
\nthe economic crisis in 1997.<\/p>\n
The rumors of layoffs had cause uncertainty among the workers,
\nwhich could adversely affect the working environment in the
\ncompany, Arif said.<\/p>\n
Arif said the workers were not opposed to the dismissal plan,
\nbut it should be implemented transparently and the process should
\ninvolve workers' representatives.<\/p>\n
Arif also demanded that the amount of severance pay for the
\ndismissed workers be jointly decided by representatives of
\nmanagement and workers and that all parties should commit to a
\njoint decision.<\/p>\n
If the management refuses to fulfill the demand, including
\nclarifying the dismissal plan, a large demonstration will be
\nstaged, according to Arif.<\/p>\n
During the demonstrations, the protesters also criticized the
\nperformance of the board of directors chaired by Edwin Sudarno,
\nalleging that he was sluggish in the fight against corruption,
\ncollusion and nepotism.<\/p>\n
Similar protests were organized in mid-2002 when the workers
\ndemanded that company president Jusman S. Djamal be replaced
\nbecause he neglected the workers' welfare. In March last year,
\nthe workers went on strike.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pt-di-workers-oppose-massive-labor-dismissal-1447893297",
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