Fired journalists not to file lawsuit

Fired journalists not to file lawsuit

JAKARTA: The deputy chairman of Republika daily's union,
Mahladi, said on Friday 15 recently fired journalists would not
file a lawsuit against the management over their dismissal.

The decision was taken after the 15 journalists -- 13 of whom
were members of the union -- negotiated compensation packages
with the management.

The Ministry of Manpower recently issued a decree entitling
laid off journalists to compensation equaling five times their
monthly salary.

Mahladi said the dismissals followed a dispute between the
union and the management which centered on the ministerial decree
on compensation.

He said the management had planned to reduce the compensation
for fired employees, instead increasing the pension for retired
employees.

The union opposed the plan, leading to the dismissals, he
said. -- Antara