Cirebon urged to protect workers' rights

CIREBON, West Java: An alliance of non-governmental organizations urged the Cirebon administration to give social security to workers, especially those who worked in the handicraft industry.

Yoyon Suharyono, chairman of Labor and Environment Foundation (YBLH), said that there were 900 rattan manufacturers absorbing around 50,000 workers and only 10 percent of them registered their workers with state-owned social security company (Jamsostek).

He said that the manufacturers had reaped huge profits in the rattan business. "They earn a lot in dollars; how could they neglect their workers' welfare," he told The Jakarta Post.

Yoyon added that the employers paid the workers in rupiah, gaining added profit from the currency exchange. "This is far from justice and professionalism. The Cirebon administration should receive a red mark in their report book because of their poor performance in handling labor problems," he said.

Meanwhile Cirebon deputy regent Dedi Supardi said that his office would only be able to assist the workers by ensuring that they received the minimum wage for the regency (UMK) of Rp 341,000 per month.

"We cannot assist the worker's in achieving other rights, such as social security," he said.

Ahmad Subchanuddin Alwy, chairman of the Center for Regional Development Strategic Studies (PKPSD) said that ensuring workers received the minimum wage was not enough.

"The regency administrations should also guarantee workers' rights such as freedom of speech and social security," he said.

Dwi Saputra, chief of the Cirebon office of PT Jamsostek said that only 40 percent, or 500 of a total 1,274 companies employing 95,000 workers had registered their employees for the insurance scheme. -- JP