Steel firm allows workers to form union after rally<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Management of steel factory PT Gunung Garuda in
\nBekasi finally relented yesterday and permitted its 2,000 workers
\nto set up a trade union after a protracted dispute which included
\na bloody riot last month.<\/p>\n
"The management has allowed its workers to found their own
\ntrade union in line with the existing labor law," Chairuddin, one
\nof the company's executives, said in a tripartite meeting between
\nthe workers, management and a representative of the Ministry of
\nManpower here yesterday.<\/p>\n
About 200 workers of the company staged a demonstration at the
\nministry's compound yesterday, protesting the management's
\nrefusal to comply with a collective labor agreement on labor
\ndisputes signed by the two sides in June.<\/p>\n
Under the agreement, workers are allowed to unionize, and
\ndismissed workers or those asked to resign receive severance pay
\nin accordance with the law and are protected under the social
\nsecurity program run by state-owned PT Jamsostek.<\/p>\n
Massive rioting erupted at the firm's compound on June 30,
\nwith security officers firing rubber bullets which injured 23
\nworkers. The incident occurred after almost all of the firm's
\n2,000 workers took part in a demonstration demanding the founding
\nof a union. Eight workers are still being treated at Bhakti
\nHusada Hospital in Cikarang.<\/p>\n
Edward Marpaung, spokesman for the workers, said after
\nyesterday's meeting that the workers would join the independent
\nIndonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI), not the government-
\nbacked Federation of All Indonesian Workers Union (FSPSI).<\/p>\n
"We were barred from unionizing because we want to join the
\nSBSI."<\/p>\n
He said workers would officially establish the SBSI unit at
\nthe company on Aug. 10.<\/p>\n
Chairuddin said the management was committed to protecting its
\nworkers under the social security program of PT Jamsostek and
\nwould give them their membership cards as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
"The workers have been insured in PT Jamsostek and their
\nmembership has been in effect as long as they have been employed
\nin the company."<\/p>\n
The tripartite meeting was presided over by Mardjono, chief of
\nthe labor standards section at the ministry. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/steel-firm-allows-workers-to-form-union-after-rally-1447893297",
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