Labor negotiation deadlocked
JAKARTA (JP): The six-month-old dispute between employees and management of the PT Duta Busana Danastri garment company was prolonged when the two sides failed to reach an agreement at yesterday's negotiating session.
Dozens of laborers insisted on attending the meeting at Jl. Kemandoran, South Jakarta, while management tolerated only their representatives and lawyers.
"We're going to report this case once again to the National Commission on Human Rights," said the workers' spokeswoman, Siti Nurrofiqoh, adding that a member of the commission had advised them to do so.
Earlier this week, commission member Asmara Nababan told the protesters that they should solve their problems themselves. He also urged them to speak directly with management to settle the protracted dispute.
Following his advice, dozens of protesters yesterday tried to enter the factory's building through the front gate despite an executive's furious attempts to keep them out. "Watch your step and stay out," he warned them.
A worker leader hopelessly attempted to help her friends enter the factory's compound, as several military officers looked on.
Muhammad Thamrin, the company's lawyer, argued vehemently that three legal representatives for the workers and 10 labor representatives would be sufficient for the meeting.
However, Anton Pradjasto, one of the employee's three legal representatives, insisted that it was the aspiration of the workers to witness the negotiation. "They will enter the room peacefully," he promised.
The preliminary talks between the company lawyer and the laborer's legal team turned nasty as both sides sought to defend their arguments, during which time the protesters booed Thamrin's every remark.
Hundreds of workers of PT Duta Busana Danastri, which produces brand name products such as Levi's, Gitano and Dockers, have staged almost continual protests and strikes since last November to demand that management improve their working conditions.
The protesters demanded that management provide transportation facilities for female employees who work at night.
In a move to strengthen their bargaining position, the laborers have appointed nine lawyers from the Jakarta Social Institute, to represent them during the negotiations.
According to Sandyawan Sumardi, the director of the non- governmental organization, three of his staffers, Dewi Wilutomo, Anton Pradjasto and Tri Budi Luhur, will head the team.
Budi said that the employees' main gripe is the seemingly random manner in which management shifts its workers.
"It cannot shift its workers without negotiations," Budi said, adding that he is ready to stand up for the workers.
Thamrin later told The Jakarta Post that he was sorry about the conflict and stressed the possibility that the protesters would be reprimanded.
He said the management has always adhered to the government's working regulations regarding minimum wages, working insurance, night shifts and health programs.
Some workers, however, disagreed with their protesting colleagues. "Just because of those 20 workers, the company may go bankrupt," said Nurhayati. (09)