Siemens
Siemens
I work at Siemens Telecommunication Project Office in Pulo Mas, East Jakarta, and I have observed with concern this company's activities. This letter is meant as constructive criticism toward Siemens themselves and as input for the Ministry of Manpower and PT Telkom.
Siemens has operated in this country for 100 years and should be professional in all aspects. But in reality the conditions are different.
At Siemens, employees are easily hired, but also fired instantaneously without clear cause. This is supported by the company's structure which does not allow employees to form a labor union, which is in violation of government regulation that states that a company with more than 25 employees may establish a labor union. To curb upheavals from drivers and other low- salaried employees Siemens simplifies matters by placing them under the care of another company.
Siemens reports to PT Telkom and the Ministry of Manpower that its expatriate staff consists of experts. These are in fact high school graduates, with either general or technical education. This is in violation of the criteria for hiring foreign experts. Personal data on educational background, work experience, etc. submitted to PT Telkom and the pertinent office at the manpower ministry are manipulated, e.g. a new graduate from a secretary school in Germany is reported as an expert. Ironically the cost for such an expert is charged to PT Telkom. Based on this manipulation, the immigration directorate general considers the "expert" eligible for a temporary stay permit (KIMS).
From the above it can be concluded that Siemens has committed fraud in its business with the Indonesian government.
Actually there are other matters in my office, such as salaries and bonuses, that need to be solved. Besides, foreigners often say harmful things about Indonesia. In my opinion it is contempt of Indonesian law. I do not understand how this can happen. Is there perhaps a weakness in our legal system or is there a game being played at higher level among PT Telkom, immigration and Siemens?
PT Telkom, the only implementor of the telecommunication network operations, has concluded joint operation agreements with a number of world telecommunication operators, one of which is Siemens. I would appeal to PT Telkom to seriously pay attention to the welfare of its counterpart's employees. At least, its counterpart's background should be material for PT Telkom's consideration, because indirectly the joint operation system applied by PT Telkom is the trust given by the community to PT Telkom. The joint operation system is a mutual relationship and not a means to make the biggest profit by sacrificing third parties. I am strongly convinced that the unsatisfactory conditions are a reflection of the exploitative ways of advanced countries toward developing countries.
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