Tripatra's workers' plight<\/p>\n
PT Tripatra's response (July 27) to Paul Keys' letter (July
\n23) on the injustices of its employee lock-out tactfully avoids
\nmentioning the substance of the workers' grievances, nor does it
\nmention the broken agreements from a company that has destroyed
\nthe livelihoods of 8,000 workers. And it distorts the legal
\nmatters of the dispute beyond any intelligible recognition.<\/p>\n
The workers -- some have worked at the company for more than
\n20 years -- are seeking the job security and benefits of full-
\ntime employment. PT Tripatra hires and fires its staff in
\naccordance with its five-year contract cycle with CalTex. They
\nare fired and rehired at five-year intervals as "temporary"
\nemployees, and are never given the chance to accrue due seniority
\nand job security. Yet Indonesian labor law sets the clear limit
\nof two years on temporary jobs. Put simply: PT Tripatra skirts
\nthe law for the small savings of slashing employee entitlements.<\/p>\n
Nengah Sujana's letter was completely erroneous in claiming
\nthat the strikers are disallowed by the Department of Manpower
\nfrom using Manpower Law No. 3\/1996. On April 29, a compensation
\nsettlement, derived from that provision, was signed between the
\nMinistry of Manpower in Pekanbaru, CalTex, PT Tripatra and the
\nIndonesian Prosperity Trade Union (SBSI). PT Tripatra has so far
\nrefused to honor its pledge.<\/p>\n
Despite the company's claim to the contrary, precious little
\n"good faith" from PT Tripatra has been on display in the dispute.
\nI visited Riau on June 7, one day after the workers were fired,
\nto appeal for a workable settlement. This unmistakable good-faith
\ngesture was disregarded by the company, and I returned to Jakarta
\nwithout meeting with the acting resident manager.<\/p>\n
While in Riau I witnessed the strike up close, and -- despite
\nPT Tripatra's contrary claims -- I can attest that 8,000 workers,
\nthe majority of the company's employees, are striking.<\/p>\n
Moreover, PT Tripatra's letter to The Jakarta Post implies
\nthat SBSI has a political motive for the strike. On the contrary,
\nthe strike was an action of last resort, only taken when all
\nreasonable appeals to good faith had broken down. Nevertheless,
\nwe will continue in earnest to press for a resolution that is
\namenable to all concerned.<\/p>\n
MUCHTAR PAKPAHAN<\/p>\n
General Chairman<\/p>\n
SBSI, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tripatras-workers-plight-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }