Strike called after union plan thwarted<\/p>\n
TANGERANG (JP): Some 400 workers at plastic bottle
\nmanufacturer PT Artha Manggala Mulia went on strike on Thursday,
\nholding a rally on the grounds of the factory in the Curug
\ndistrict here to press their demands to set up their own branch
\nof the All Indonesian Workers Association.<\/p>\n
\"Establishing the association is our right; why is the company
\nblocking us,\" a worker shouted during the rally.<\/p>\n
According to the workers, the company objected to the
\nemployees' plan to form the association and tried to force the
\nworkers into signing a letter stating that they would not
\nestablish the independent workers' association.<\/p>\n
According to the workers, if they refused to sign the letter
\nthey would be fired.<\/p>\n
The striking workers rejected management's offer to hold a
\ndialog, deciding to disperse instead.<\/p>\n
After the workers departed, the company's management met with
\nrepresentatives from the Tangerang office of the Ministry of
\nManpower.<\/p>\n
Although the workers had originally lodged their complaint
\nwith the ministry's office, arguing that the association was a
\nvital tool to fight for their protection and rights, the meeting
\nwas not attended by workers' representatives.<\/p>\n
The company's executives were unwilling to comment on the
\ncase.<\/p>\n
On Monday, some 4,500 employees at shoe factory PT Tae-Hwa
\nIndonesia in Balaraja, went on strike and staged a noisy protest
\non the factory grounds to demand their Idul Fitri bonuses and
\nholidays.<\/p>\n
After a series of negotiations between workers'
\nrepresentatives and the company's management, nearly all of the
\nworkers' demands were met by the company, which had recently been
\nawarded the ISO 9002 certificate.<\/p>\n
According to the head of the company's human resources
\ndepartment, M. Jazuli, the company would give workers Idul Fitri
\nbonuses equal to those received last year. Employees will receive
\nthe bonuses within the next two weeks.<\/p>\n
\"However, the size of bonuses will differ from one worker to
\nthe next, depending on how long they have been with the company,\"
\nJazuli said.<\/p>\n
The bonus will equal 100 percent of the monthly salary for
\nthose who have worked at the company for one year, 225 percent
\nthose who have been with the company for two years and 325
\npercent for those who have worked at the company for three years
\nor more, he said.<\/p>\n
The company also agreed to increase the daily meal allowance
\nfrom Rp 1,000 to Rp 1,500 and not to count the Idul Fitri holiday
\n-- from Jan. 16 to Jan. 23 this year -- as part of the workers'
\ntotal allocated holidays.<\/p>\n
\"We also promise to accommodate female workers with days off
\nfor menstruation leave,\" Jazuli added.<\/p>\n
The protesters greeted management's decision with loud
\napplause before peacefully dispersing. (41\/ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/strike-called-after-union-plan-thwarted-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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