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.

Name and address

known to the editor