PT CRC workers stage protest

TANGERANG (JP): About 800 workers of pharmaceutical manufacturer PT Cisadane Raya Chemical (CRC) staged a protest at the firm's plant in Karawaci here Tuesday, demanding their employers recognize their newly founded union.

The protesters, who gathered at the plant on Jl. Imam Bonjol from 8 a.m., also wanted the company's management to revoke its decision to suspend the union's chairman, Budi Purwanto.

According to the workers, Budi was suspended from his job at the export-oriented firm for one month on July 14.

"He was accused by the company of having intimidated one of his colleagues," said one of the workers, asking for anonymity.

The union was set up by the plant employees on June 19 on the grounds that hitherto there had been no labor organization at the factory.

The workers' initiative to establish the union was rejected by the management.

"The company apparently would like to set up a worker's union on their own," said the worker.

After a meeting with the workers' representatives and local police officers, CRC president Mohammad Taha said the company had not been informed by the workers about the establishment of their union.

"I don't care if the workers intend to form a union here as long as the establishment is done under a both-sides agreements," Taha said.

Before setting up the union, he said, the workers should have undertaken a five-day special course beginning next Monday.

"It's designed to prevent disputes (among the union's members). From the course, it's believed the workers would be able to elect their union chairman based on their own wishes," said Taha.

Talking about Budi's suspension, Taha said that his case was being studied by staff at the Ministry of Manpower.

"His suspension has nothing to do with the union," Taha said.

The protesters dispersed peacefully at midday after the company promised to study their demands further. (41/ivy)