PDAM Jaya dismisses 12 protesting workers
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)