Sony urged to pay fair severance pay

JAKARTA: Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea asked PT Sony Indonesia on Thursday to give satisfactory compensation funds to workers who have to be dismissed due to its decision to shut down its operation in the country.

"For Sony, it is embarrassing if the company only pays compensation funds as mentioned in Manpower Minister Decree No.150/2000," he said.

Jacob said Sony must provide enough compensation funds to laid-off workers to allow them to open new business or survive before finding a new job. He did not mention any figure.

Japan-based Sony Corporation has decided to close its operations in Indonesia although the government, through the Ministry of Manpower, has lobbied its shareholders in Japan to cancel the plan.

Sony Corporation argues it needs to strengthen its factory in Malaysia, therefore the Indonesian factory has to be closed. - Antara