Shoe firm workers strike in protest at intimidation
Shoe firm workers strike in protest at intimidation
JAKARTA (JP): A South Korean shoe firm ground to an abrupt
standstill yesterday when all 2,500 workers went on strike to
protest alleged intimidation by two police officers hired by the
company as executives.
About 100 of their colleagues lodged their grievance with the
National Commission on Human Rights, demanding the body insist PT
Bosaeng Jaya immediately fire the two officers.
"We cannot work in comfort and always feel afraid since the
two wear their police uniforms in the factory all the time and
never want to listen to our complaints," said workers' spokesman
Pratigto.
He claimed that the two, whom he identified as Maj. Gatot
Budisutopo and Maj. Budyono from the National Police
headquarters, often forced employees to resign without receiving
proper compensation.
According to Pratigto, the officers -- employed at the firm
for seven years as factory manager and personnel manager
respectively -- were used by the South Korean owners as the
"shield" in their interactions with local employees.
None of the Korean executives showed up to discuss the problem
with workers yesterday, he said.
"We'll continue to strike until the two police officers are
dismissed from our company," Pratigto said. Workers are also
seeking annual bonuses and proper work-safety equipment.
The executives were unavailable for comment.
In May, several representatives of the workers lodged a
similar complaint with the commission.
According to commission member B.N. Marbun, who received the
protesters yesterday, his institution had sent letters for
confirmation to the National Police and City Police but had not
received a reply.
Marbun promised to send another letter to the National Police
Headquarters soon to ask for help to clarify the matter and the
status of the officers.
When asked to comment, National Police spokesman Brig. Gen.
Da'i Bachtiar said: "We'll double check on the case soon and
trace the names of the two officers before we come out with our
final judgment.
"The two might have picked up the police uniforms off the
street."
After visiting the commission, the employees headed to the
Jakarta Legal Aid Institute to seek legal advice. (edt/jun)