Aerowisata to meet laid-off workers of subsidiaries

JAKARTA (JP): Former workers of two subsidiaries of PT Aerowisata will mediate with company officials on Monday over mass layoffs, a manpower ministry official said.

"This will be a tripartite meeting between the workers and the company, under the supervision of the Ministry of Manpower," Agus Suharmanu of the Directorate General of Industrial Relations and Control of the ministry said on Friday.

He said the decision to hold the meeting came after laid-off workers protested to the manpower ministry on Wednesday, accusing Aerowisata of disregarding their right to employment and better pay.

PT Mandira Erajasa Wahana dismissed 18 of its workers in December following a protest demanding that the company increase overtime pay.

PT Aerowisata Catering Service dismissed 104 employees in July. The firms provided catering, cleaning and transportation services to national airline PT Garuda Indonesia, the Aerowisata group's parent company.

"What we demanded from the company was our rights as workers. But look how the company has responded?" Benno Suparno, a protester claiming to have worked for the company for 21 years, said in a meeting with Agus Suharmanu on Friday.

Lawyers of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH), who represent the former workers, confirmed the meeting on Monday.

"We hope the meeting will settle the problem," Binsar Sihalolo of LBH said.

He said the manpower ministry tried to localize the issue, leaving the workers to deal only with their respective firms, instead of with Aerowisata in Jakarta.

Workers rejected the offer because they wanted to meet Aerowisata's management to reach a solution.

Binsar said they might consider filing suit if the meeting failed to recommend a solution.

"But it will completely depend on the former workers. We'll do what's best for them."

Aerowisata officials declined to comment on Friday.

"We cannot issue a statement now, pending the meeting on Monday," Markus Hendrik, the company's personnel manager, said.

Aerowisata initially planned a news conference on Friday but postponed it until this week. (03)