Thousands of textile workers fired

Thousands of textile workers fired

About more 70,000 workers have been laid off since the government
hiked fuel prices recently, Indonesian Textile Association
chairman Benny Sutrisno said on Monday.

"The workers are from Bandung in West Java and Surakarta in
Central Java. I expect the number to reach 100,000 by the end of
this year," said Benny.

"In total, some 500,000 will have to be laid off because fuel
comprises 30 percent of production costs, not to mention other
costs."

Benny said that some 300,000 workers were from medium and
large industries while the remaining 200,000 workers were from
small-size industries.

"Laying off workers is a tough decision to make because of the
strong relations with workers and the high severance pay.

"A worker who has worked with a company for nine years, for
example, is entitled to get 26 to 29 months salary as severance
pay." -- Antara