400 garment factory workers go on strike in North Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): More than 400 workers, mostly women, of a garment factory on Jl. Agung Perkasa, in Sunter Podomoro, North Jakarta, went on strike yesterday demanding an explanation of the factory's relocation plan.

A spokesperson of the protesters, Misiati, said the planned relocation of PT Pasifik Rimasri Garmen, scheduled for July 15, had not been discussed with workers.

"As the date of relocation is drawing near, the management has yet to inform us of the continuation of our jobs," she said.

She said the factory, which produced women's clothing for export, would be relocated to the Gunung Putri area, in Bogor, West Java.

Misiati said workers would agree to the Bogor move if the company provided transportation, since most of them lived in North Jakarta.

The workers also demanded social security insurance since only 100 of 400 workers were covered by state-run Jamsostek insurance, she said.

If workers have to work in Bogor and transportation was not provided, she said a dormitory should be set up at the new work site.

Or if the company decided to dismiss them, Misiati said compensation should be paid according to a 1964 Ministry of Manpower regulation.

The workers have been working at the factory between one and four years, she said, and paid an average of Rp 172,000 (US$70.20) a month. "Those who have worked eight years and are dismissed should get eight months' worth the wages," Misiati said.

The demonstration began about 8 a.m. and workers carried posters on the factory's grounds. One of the posters read: "The capital (Jakarta) is cruel, but PT Pasifik is even more cruel."

Two security guards quickly closed the factory gate when protesters tried to open it from the inside. Interviews were made from outside the gate.

Another worker, Yati, said workers worked almost 19 hours a day, seven days a week.

"If we refuse to work overtime, the management could make us factory cleaners," she said.

The workers pledged to strike until demands were met.

Factory owner Sinju Mirchandani and company personnel manager Bambang Sulistiono were not available for comment.

"They are not here," a security guard said.

In the evening, a company telephone operator said the executives were still in a meeting. (jun)