Garment workers stage protest

JAKARTA (JP): Workers of garment manufacturer PT Tongkyung Makmur Abadi in Cilincing, North Jakarta, campaigned yesterday against their firm's decision to ban them from setting up a branch of the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI).

Thirty of their representatives lodged a protest with the National Commission on Human Rights.

"The company management forbids us from establishing the union and even distributes brochures stating that SBSI leader Muchtar Pakpahan is a communist. We are insulted," Irma, the workers' spokeswoman said.

The workers were also complaining that the company, whose products are exported to the United States, South Korea and Europe, had threatened to fire 35 employees if they did not go to work for five consecutive days starting from July 16, she said.

She said the 35 workers were accused of masterminding a demonstration at the company on June 16 when about 1,300 workers demanded that the company allow them to set up the union and increase wages and allowances.

Commission member Clementino dos Reis Amaral said that the commission would telephone the company and send it a letter to check up on the matter.

The company's executives could not be reached for comment yesterday. (jun)