1,040 workers unpaid, Bob responsible

AMBON, Maluku: A total of 1,040 workers of plywood company PT Kalimanis Group in Passo Village of Ambon, the Maluku capital, had not received their salaries and allowances for eight months, a local councillor said.

Ambon legislative council speaker Lucky Wattimury blamed imprisoned timber tycoon Mohamamd "Bob" Hassan, who owns the company, for the unpaid salaries.

The company had ceased operations for eight months due to the shortage of raw materials.

Lucky said that he had written Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea, asking him to take immediate action to address the problem.

Some of the neglected workers, mainly men, have been forced to become dock workers at a port near Passo to survive, while others have become taxi drivers. --Antara