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