Labor still a sensitive issue: Latief

Labor still a sensitive issue: Latief

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief said yesterday
that companies' tendency to ignore the legal rights of workers is
making manpower a sensitive issue in Indonesia.

"Some companies really are not aware about workers'
regulations while others deliberately violate the regulations
because they feel burdened," Latief said during the meeting with
Jakarta investors.

The meeting, which was attended by hundreds of representatives
of both foreign and domestic companies operating in the city, was
held by the Jakarta office of the Investment Coordinating Board
(BKPMD) to discuss workers problems faced by the companies.

The minister explained that wages remains the chief cause of
workers' unrest.

"There is no regulation to raise wages above the minimum level
but I urge both parties to establish a working agreement to
settle this matter," Latief said, adding the government hopes
that by 1995, 75 percent of companies employing 100 workers will
have signed such an agreement.

Latief said that the obligation to fulfill workers' welfare is
a matter of business ethics that should be honored by the
companies.

"As a businessman you can make as much profit as possible as
long as it is not done by abusing the rights of workers, people
and other companies," Latief said.

BKPMD's acting chairman Prawoto S. Danoemihardjo underlined
the importance of creating healthy relations between workers and
companies in his opening remarks.

"There are companies who neglect their obligation to fulfill
workers' rights but on the other hand there are also workers who
cannot fulfill the companies' demands. By creating profitable
relations, both parties will benefit," Prawoto said. (yns)