DI employees seek legislators' help

JAKARTA: The representatives of employees of PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) urged the House of Representatives (DPR) on Thursday to help settle the unsolved problems plaguing the state- owned aircraft company, which had to lay them off recently.

A workers' delegate was welcomed by House deputy speaker AM Fatwa and legislator Cecep Rukmana from the Reform faction.

Suryadi, head of the delegation, alleged that the company's compound had been occupied by the Air Force's special troops to keep employees away, following the dismissal of 9,000 employees in July.

PT DI, in dire financial straits, was forced to dismiss thousands of workers in order to cut costs. The company's wage expenses come to some Rp 35 billion each month.

Responding to the demand, Fatwa pledged that House leaders would urge Military Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto to withdraw the troops.

He said the deployment of military troops at a state-owned company was not appropriate.

Fatwa added that the House would organize a joint meeting involving related commissions to discuss the condition of the company after Oct. 24, when the legislators will go back to work after recess. -- JP