Better communication between employers and workers urged

JAKARTA (JP): Manpower Minister Abdul Latief underlined yesterday the importance of communication between employers and workers to help prevent labor disputes.

Speaking to reporters after meeting President Soeharto with Public Housing Minister Akbar Tandjung, Latief said that besides reducing the possibility of conflict, communication is also effective in preventing third parties from persuading workers to stage protests or go on strike.

Latief said that through the communication employers can explain collective labor agreements to workers so they understand their rights and obligations.

"Many workers protest or go on strike but know nothing about labor regulations," he said.

The minister was referring to a strike last week involving 5,000 workers at PT Great River Industries in Cibinong, Bogor.

Refused

The workers demanded the official minimum wage of Rp 4,600 a day plus transportation and meal allowances, bringing their total take home pay to Rp 7,000 ($3) a day.

The company refused, arguing that it pays workers Rp 4,675 -- Rp 75 more than the minimum wage in West Java.

PT Great River industries is a large garment factory which makes noted brand names like Arrow, Triumph and Benetton.

Because the workers have no knowledge of labor regulations, Latief urged the management of PT Great River not to fire any strikers.

He urged the firm to settle the labor dispute through dialog. "But if the workers' demand is already out of context, there must be other parties, who try to provoke them," he said.

The government will not allow third parties disturb the good relations between workers and their employers, he emphasized, but did not elaborate.

Meanwhile, the management of PT Great River cautioned at a press conference yesterday that it will take stern measures against workers who failed to show up for six consecutive days in support of the strike.

"We will fire them," pledged Safioen, the operation director of the company, reiterating that the measure corresponds to government decree number 8 issued in 1981 which says that workers who are absent for six consecutive days are considered to have quit.

The strikers, backed by students and activists from the Center for Indonesian Labor Struggle and the Indonesian Students Solidarity for Democracy, complained to the Bogor Legislative Council and the House of Representatives.

Safioen said that most of the company's 6,000 workers have returned to work. (29/hhr)