More attention to the environment

More attention to the environment

From Sinar Pagi

Instant noodle company PT Indofood Sukses Makmur (ISM) has a
factory in West Ancol, North Jakarta. With the ISO standard it
has achieved, the company should adopt an attitude of hospitality
and concern for its environment without discrimination, but so
far the opposite has happened. Its lack of concern is apparent in
the long-ignored complaints lodged by local residents about the
installation of 15 large vents directly opposite their homes,
where they have suffered the impact of heat and noise around the
clock for over two years (except on holidays).

The company's discriminatory hiring practices, in which locals
find it difficult, even impossible, to get a job at this factory.
Those working as sweepers outside the fences of the factory
compound earn Rp 80,000 per month, even though they have been
working for the company for more than five years.

The company's social contributions and activities frequently
reported by the mass media have never included the people living
near the company, who guarded PT ISM against rioters in May 1998.

The nuisance complaint was once discussed at a meeting with
the firm's representatives, resulting in a consensus to do
something about the noise caused by the vents. This agreement
seems to have fallen into oblivion, though.

Despite this, we local residents remained rational and,
without resorting to violence, held discussions under the
auspices of the Ancol Industrial Community Association. Yet we
were again frustrated

We are convinced that PT ISM's personnel department's lack of
sensitivity for its neighborhood is not in conformity with the
policies of the central management of PT ISM. We hope this will
be accorded due attention.

NURHAIPIN

Jakarta