Factory besieged over fake promises

TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of residents from four villages in Cikupa, Tangerang, besieged a garment factory on Monday asking the management to fulfill its promise to employ local villagers.

Residents from the villages of Bojong, Budimulya, Sukamulya and Sukanegara surrounded garment factory PT Tuntex Garment Indonesia (TGI) on Jl. Raya Serang, Bojong.

"The factory management has promised four times to recruit locals after several negotiations. But none of the promises have been carried out," Uding, one of the villagers, said.

"There are some 700 unemployed people in Bojong alone. It's not right if the company refuses to recruit locals," he said, citing that most of the unemployed people were women.

The company vowed to recruit locals when it started its operation in the area. However, it has never informed them about vacant positions.

"There are more than 200 factories in Cikupa district and they are reluctant to recruit locals," labor activist Dedi said.

Residents blockaded the company's entrance gate and tried to hijack a truck which was about to enter the factory. They failed as the truck turned around.

The company's personnel manager, identified only as Ibnu, met the villagers and declared the company's readiness for negotiations.

The residents sent some delegates, led by Bojong village head Wira.

"The management has agreed to recruit locals but we are still waiting for a decision by the company's owner," Ibnu told the delegates, while asking them to remain patient.

"Residents can send application letters in July. The company will provide training prior to employment," he added.

Several residents were dissatisfied with the negotiations, saying they had had enough of empty promises.

"They only gave empty promises. There was no certainty at all," a resident, Weskuri, shouted.

Contacted separately, spokesman to Tangerang regency Slamet Putranto said the regency would set up a vocational training center for residents.

"This way, we can train local residents so companies will not hesitate in recruiting them," he said. (41/nvn)