PDAM Jaya dismisses 12 protesting workers

JAKARTA (JP): The city-owned tap water firm PDAM Jaya has dismissed 12 of its "outspoken" employees starting from Monday for allegedly damaging the company's image by conducting a series of protests over the last six months.

The firm's president Muzahiem Mochtar told a press conference that the employees' final intolerable action took place last month, when the 12 men, together with some of their other fellow workers, occupied the firm's logistic office in Pejompongan, Central Jakarta.

"That was their most serious offense. It disturbed our service to the public," Muzahiem said.

"The dismissal is effective from today (Monday). They have been honorably dismissed without their consent," he added.

Muzahiem explained that the decision was also supported by Governor Sutiyoso, who gave his recommendation in a letter dated Oct. 7.

He said Sutiyoso urged the firm to take stern action, including dismissal, against the workers who were allegedly responsible for the occupation of the logistic office.

The positions of the dismissed workers range from ordinary staff to divisional heads, he said.

According to Muzahiem, the 12 workers would receive compensation for their dismissal worth nine times their monthly basic salary, which ranges between Rp 1.7 million (US$223.70) and Rp 2.5 million each.

He insisted that PDAM Jaya were ready to face a possible lawsuit from the workers.

Among the firm's 68 employees, the 12 dismissed workers were considered the ones most responsible for the "occupation' of the logistic office, he said.

The remaining 46 workers, including the union's chairman Amir Tanjung, who is also chairman of the North Jakarta branch of the Justice and Unity Party (PKP), would not be dismissed as long as they don't take part in any protests against the company again, Muzahiem said.

He denied the charge that the 12 workers were dismissed because they were members of the firm's PAM Jaya workers union.

The dismissed workers included executives of the union: deputy chairman Yorizon B., secretary Zaenal Abidin and spokesman Yoshi Andriawan.

According to Yorizon, who had worked at the firm for 24 years, the dismissal was unfair, and that he and his 11 friends would soon file a lawsuit against the firm.

The dismissed workers were known as leaders of the workers union which has repeatedly protested against the managements agreement between PDAM Jaya and its two foreign partners, PT Pam Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja) and Tames Pam Jaya (TPJ).

According to Muzahiem, the workers' action has damaged the country's image since it is related to foreign firms.

"The cancellation of the agreement is not as easy as they thought," he said. (jun)