Better communication between employers and workers urged
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)