Garment workers stage protest

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)