Sampoerna workers wonder what the future will bring<\/p>\n
Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya<\/p>\n
News that the world's largest cigarette producer Philip Morris
\nInternational Inc. would acquire a 40 percent stake in publicly
\nlisted PT Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna Tbk. did not reach many of
\nthe company's workers.<\/p>\n
On Friday morning, activities ran as usual at the House of
\nSampoerna, a two-story modern museum that showcases everything
\nthat has made the Sampoerna family among the big players in the
\ncigarette business in Asia, in Surabaya.<\/p>\n
Those workers who were aware of the latest developments turned
\nup for work just like any other workday, though perhaps wondering
\nat little what the future had in store for them.<\/p>\n
Those who missed the news were those who preferred to rest
\nrather than read newspapers or watch television news after work.<\/p>\n
A worker, Neni, admitted she only learned about the news from
\na The Jakarta Post reporter, who interviewed her on Friday.<\/p>\n
\"I never watch news on television or read the papers because I
\nusually go straight to bed, tired after working a whole day,\" she
\nconfessed.<\/p>\n
She had no objection to the plan, as long as no workers lost
\ntheir jobs, and expressed her hope of better working conditions.<\/p>\n
\"We just agree because the decision was taken by the
\n(company's) leaders. Even if we rejected it, it wouldn't matter
\nanyway,\" she said.<\/p>\n
In contrast to Neni, Haryono, another worker at the House of
\nSampoerna, closely followed the developments -- that paves the
\nway for Philip Morris to initiate the biggest acquisition deal in
\nthe country's corporate history -- both through electronic and
\nprinted media.<\/p>\n
\"I'm worried that a new policy may cut the number of workers.
\nI'm a contract worker, if I lose my job, what would I do?\" the
\nsecurity worker said. \"I hope I can be promoted this year, and
\nnot be a contract worker anymore.\"<\/p>\n
Despite the development, Haryono said it would not be easy for
\nhim to forget the role of Sampoerna's family in making the
\ncompany the country's second largest cigarette's maker.<\/p>\n
\"I'm proud to work in this company, being a part of it,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said he felt relieved after a statement from Philip Morris
\nsaying that no workers would be fired. The commitment was
\nannounced by Philip Morris and Sampoerna management at a meeting
\nwith East Java Governor Imam Utomo on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The meeting was attended by Philip Morris Asia Pacific
\npresident Matteo Pallegrini and vice president of corporate
\naffairs Andrew White, as well as Sampoerna's director Angky
\nCamaro and head of public relations Yudy Rizard Hakim.<\/p>\n
At the meeting, Philip Morris also promised to retain
\nunfiltered, hand-rolled kretek (clove) cigarettes -- the type
\nfavored by nine out of 10 of the country's 141 million smokers --
\nand to take them into the international market.<\/p>\n
The two companies also reassured the community and workers,
\nexpressing their commitment to develop the province's economy.<\/p>\n
Governor Imam Utomo told reporters he was happy that Philip
\nMorris, the international tobacco unit of U.S. consumer-goods
\ngiant Altria Group Inc., would invest in the province and bring
\nkretek to the world.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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