24 firms tried for violating labor regulations

24 firms tried for violating labor regulations

JAKARTA (JP): Twenty-four Jakarta-based companies went on trial in the period between April 1, last year, and March 31, 1995, on charges of violating regulations on work conditions.

F.P. Tuamelly, head of the City Manpower Office, said after a meeting that four of the 24 companies were proven guilty and fined between Rp 100,000 (US$45.45) and Rp 750,000 each.

"The trials of the other 20 companies are currently still in process and are expected to be completed as soon as possible," Tuamelly was quoted by Antara as saying.

He explained that nine of the 24 companies were brought to court because they were found violating Regulation No. 3/1992 regarding the provision of workers' social security insurance.

Tuamelly did not identify the negligent companies, but acknowledged that most them were active in the production of garments.

He said that the violations were uncovered during visits by officials of the manpower office who were investigating the companies after receiving information from the public.

He further urged workers, who are employed by negligent firms, to report violations to his office.

In a related development, Tuamelly also said that out of the 24,000 companies operating throughout the city, only three have reported to his office about their inability to pay each of their workers in line with the regional minimum wage of Rp 4,600 per day.

"Two of the three companies are operating in North Jakarta and the other one is in East Jakarta," he said, adding that the three companies had been asked to submit detailed reports about their financial conditions. The reports are needed to decide whether the companies will be allowed to pay their workers below the set wages.

However, Tuamelly said he believed that all companies operating in the city are capable of meeting the minimum wage requirement.

"We will carefully check the reports from the three firms," he said.

According to the manpower office, the 24,000 firms employ over one million workers, including expatriates who are employed illegally. (hhr)