2000 workers on strike over union establishment
2000 workers on strike over union establishment
TANGERANG (JP): At least 2,000 workers of PT Sarkis Pacific
shoe and sandal manufacturing company went on strike yesterday
demanding that a labor union be set up in the company.
Unfurling banners, the workers refused to work until their
demand is fulfilled.
"We will continue striking until the management of the company
fulfills our demand," some striking workers told reporters.
They said the demand was submitted in November last year, but
it was rejected by the company on the grounds that the workers
are not "mature" enough to set up a labor union.
The company, they said, promised that a labor union would be
formed earlier this month. But up to now the promise has not been
fulfilled.
The workers said last month they sent a letter to the central
board of the All Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) stating their
desire to set up an SPSI-affiliated labor union. SPSI officials
asked them to raise a written proposal with the management of the
company.
They then sent a written statement signed by 150 workers.
But instead of having their demand satisfied, the company's
management fired 15 of the signatories without severance pay.
"That's too much so we decided to strike," one of the workers
said.
The workers also demanded that the company provide them with
health facilities, food allowances, incentive bonuses, sick leave
and the right to perform prayers. They also asked that the 15
workers be reinstated.
Arsyad, one of the board members of the Tangerang SPSI, said
PT Sarkis Pacific should have obtained a letter of approval from
the Ministry of Manpower before deciding to fire the workers.
"In line with the existing rules, a company which decides to
dismiss 10 or more workers should get the approval of the
ministry," Arsyad said, adding that the firing of the workers by
PT Sarkis Pacific was illegal.
PT Sarkis Pacific officials refused to comment.
"No comment," said K. Sinulingga, the head of the company's
personnel department when asked about the workers' protest.
(13/bas)