Shangri-La hotel workers injured during protest

JAKARTA (JP): Several of some 300 employees involved in a labor dispute with Shangri-La hotel were injured when police officers dispersed their demonstration in front of the Central Jakarta hotel on Saturday, the first day it resumed operation.

Using rattan sticks, dozens of officers beat the workers grouped in the Shangri-La Independent Workers' Union (SPMS).

The Central Jakarta Police deputy chief, Asst. Sr. Comr. Iza Fadri, ordered officers to take the action after the protesters refused to move from the road to ease traffic congestion.

The hotel had been closed since Dec. 22, 2000, following a strike by about 500 employees. The management announced they had recruited new employees to replace those on strike.

The protesters arrived at the hotel at about 3 p.m. to demand reemployment. Congregating in front of the hotel, they initially only blocked half of the road, but they later blocked the whole road, causing traffic to come to a halt.

Carrying banners and posters and wearing white headbands, the workers condemned the hotel's shareholders, including hotel chain owner Malaysian businessman Robert Kuok, and local businessman Robert Lyman.

The workers bore a coffin with the names of Kuok, Lyman and the hotel's human resources manager Novianti.

"Their hearts have already died. May they rest in hell," one of the workers shouted while showering the coffin with flowers.

Kuok owns 55 percent of the hotel while the remainder is owned by Lyman and the foundation of state-owned Bank BNI's employees.

Before the clash, the workers asked the police to mediate as they wanted to discuss their grievances with the hotel management. But the latter refused, saying the matter was still being studied at the Jakarta Manpower Office.

The labor union chairman, Halilintar Nurdin, deplored the management's stance and threatened to hold more demonstrations.

Meanwhile, hotel senior manager, Wastu Widanto, said in a statement the management regretted the "unfortunate and disappointing action taken by the striking workers today (that) again highlights the lack of respect for the legal processes and laws of Indonesia ..."

He said earlier a decision on the matter was up to the manpower office.

"We will accept whatever the manpower office decides, although personally speaking many of the workers who did not join the strike seem to have objections (if the hotel reemploys those who are on strike)," Wastu said.

The workers on strike received their salaries through January, he said, as required by the manpower office.

During the first day of a return to business, only a few guests were seen sitting in the hotel lobby.

Wastu said the hotel received several corporate guests, but refused to mention the number of the guests on Saturday. He was careful about making projections of a return to the robust business they enjoyed before the strike.

"I cannot project it, other hotels also suffer low occupancy rates, it's not only because of the strike," Wastu said.

He said he would cooperate with the police to protect hotel guests from any undesirable incidents from the former employees' actions.

The same rates apply as before the strike, between US$180 and US$300 per night for each of the 660 rooms. (jun)