Businesses told to pay THR

TANGERANG (JP): The Tangerang administration has threatened to prosecute any businesspeople who refuse to pay holiday bonuses (THR) to their workers, an official said on Monday.

"It's against the law to avoid paying bonuses," the head of the Ministry of Manpower's Tangerang office, Apon Suryana, said.

Apon was referring to Ministry of Manpower Regulation No. 4/1994, which regulates a Rp 100,000 (US$ 14.30) fine or three months imprisonment for any violations.

"My office will concentrate on imposing the three-month jail term because we consider the fine inadequate," Apon said.

He said businesspeople frequently claimed their companies were losing money or were on the brink of bankruptcy.

"We will perform financial audits on companies using public accountants to discover the companies' real condition," Apon said, adding that his office would close down any bankrupt companies.

The Tangerang Council is backing the office's stance in fighting for the workers' right to receive bonuses.

"The council has to pay attention to both businesspeople and workers. But in this case, we must defend the workers," said council deputy speaker Achmadun Mooduto. (05/41)