1,040 workers unpaid, Bob responsible

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