Temporary workers protest uniform change<\/p>\n
TANGERANG (JP): Some 675 temporary employees with the
\nTangerang office of the City Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ),
\nbrought on Friday their grievance to the local chapter of the
\nIndonesian Journalists Association (PWI).<\/p>\n
The complaint, filed by seven representing officials, opposed
\nthe agency's new regulation that they procure new uniforms for Rp
\n120,000 (US$17) each.<\/p>\n
\"How can we afford to buy this new uniform when we have never
\nbeen properly paid for our services,\" Arifin, one of the seven
\nrepresentatives, said.<\/p>\n
\"Most of us have been working as helpers at the Tangerang
\noffice of the Public Land Transportation Agency from five to 15
\nyears, while some have for 25 years.<\/p>\n
\"And our daily income is between Rp 5,000 and Rp 10,000 for a
\nworking period from 7 a.m. till 10 p.m.,\" he added.<\/p>\n
The ruling on the new uniforms was issued by Rachmad Hadis,
\nthe chairman of the DLLAJ Tangerang office. It has been in effect
\nsince Feb. 29, 2000.<\/p>\n
With the new ruling, each temporary employee has to wear a
\nwhite short-sleeved shirt with the letters \"D L L A J\"
\nembroidered on the left sleeve and the emblem of the Tangerang
\nadministration on its right. Employees must also wear dark blue
\npants.<\/p>\n
The old uniform consisted of dark blue pants, a light blue
\nshort-sleeved shirt with the emblem of the Ministry of
\nCommunications on its left sleeve.<\/p>\n
Temporary employees collect levies from drivers of public
\nminivans and city buses at the bus and minivan terminals of
\nCimone, Ciledug, Cikokol, Cibodas Baru, Pasar Baru and Sewan.<\/p>\n
\"We're so sad because we've been working so hard, but we're
\nstill exploited by the agency.<\/p>\n
\"Sometimes we have had to sell our chickens to pay for our
\ntrip in to work,\" said Samsudi, another representative.<\/p>\n
\"The new ruling should be revoked. Otherwise, we'll go on
\nstrike,\" he added.<\/p>\n
As with the PWI Tangerang chapter, the employees are also
\nplanning to stage a protest at the DLLAJ Tangerang office and
\nfile a similar complaint with the Tangerang Legislative Council
\nsoon.<\/p>\n
\"Although we've been working at the DLLAJ Tangerang office for
\nyears, we can still be fired if we disobey this new ruling,\"
\nJaeni, another representative, said.<\/p>\n
Separately, Rachmad Hadis said the new uniforms were part of
\nthe agency's campaign to clean up its image after several
\nindividuals illegally collected money from public minivan and
\ncity bus drivers at night.<\/p>\n
\"We received reports that people in DLLAJ uniforms had asked
\nfor 'tips' of between Rp 20,000 and Rp 50,000 from the drivers,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
\"The new uniforms will help the agency in monitoring the
\nbehavior of its officials.\"<\/p>\n
\"We'll dismiss any agency official taking illegal levies from
\nthe drivers,\" he added.(41\/imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/temporary-workers-protest-uniform-change-1447893297",
"image": ""
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