Shangri-La to get security officers

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has promised to provide the management of Shangri-La Hotel with security officers when the hotel resumes operation.

Governor Sutiyoso told members of the hotel's management team at City Hall on Monday the city authorities did not expect any prolonged labor disputes to take place in the future.

"We cannot tolerate such cases going on and on, because it will affect the capital's economy," Sutiyoso said.

He suggested that any conflicts between management and workers be settled through legal measures.

According to him, many foreigners have canceled trips to Jakarta as a result of the numerous demonstrations in the capital. Employees of Shangri-La have staged a series of rallies to protest the management's policies.

The labor dispute began when some 420 hotel employees affiliated with the Shangri-La Hotel Independent Workers Union went on strike from Dec. 22 to Dec. 26 last year to demand better working conditions. The striking workers occupied the hotel, causing it to shut its doors.

The management of the hotel says it has lost Rp 18 billion since it halted operations on Dec. 22. (04)