HI workers reject dismissal

JAKARTA: At least 56 employees of Hotel Indonesia (HI) and Hotel Inna Wisata are still resisting dismissal, although the hotel management has sold the hotels' kitchen appliances and furniture as the HI building is being prepared for renovation.

"We are still negotiating with the old hotel management PT Hotel Indonesia Natour (HIN)," spokesman of the hotel's labor union Marcus Kappuw was quoted as saying by Tempo News Room on Friday.

The workers argued that the severance package being offered was less than that available to workers before the agreement between the labor union and PT HIN was signed.

Most of the protesting workers have been working for the hotels for 15 to 25 years. Due to their age, they are unlikely to be reemployed by the new hotel management.

The new management is currently renovating Hotel Indonesia, while Inna Wisata will be replaced with a shopping mall. -- JP