Tripatra responds

Tripatra responds

In connection with Paul Key's letter of July 23, 1999,
Injustices in Tripatra, PT. Tripatra wishes to correct the
writer's mistakes and misleading comments.

As a national enterprise, PT Tripatra (the company) employs
approximately 9,700 workers for its construction services for PT
Caltex Pacific Indonesia. At present, more than 80 percent of the
workers are dedicated and working for the company.

A police and military presence on site are to protect the oil
production facilities, because they are considered strategic
facilities.

In regard to the severance payment called for by the strikers,
the company complies with all government rules and regulations.
We pay special attention to the Joint Decree (SKB) made by the
Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Manpower on the
Employees Severance Program. This rule is mandatory for service
companies in the oil and gas sectors.

Under the SKB, the company pays the Yayasan Dana Tabungan
Pesangon Migas (YDTP) 8.33 percent of the salary that will be
given to an employee as a severance payment when a contract
expires. The said SKB is specifically governed and confirmed in
the Letter of Working Agreement between the company and every
employee.

Therefore, the demand from the strikers to use the provisions
of the Minister of Manpower No. PMTK 03/MEN/1996 is baseless.
This matter was confirmed by a letter, dated May 17, 1999, from
the Director General of Supervision and Development (Binawas) of
the Ministry of Manpower to the Head of the Regional Office
(Kanwil) in Riau province. The letter stated that "... severance
payment demands of PT Tripatra workers based on the provisions of
PERMEN 03/MEN/1996 shall not be permitted..."

Further, it is also untrue to state that on May 12, 1999, a
decision was made by the Ministry of Manpower to the effect that
the company should pay 100 percent compensation to the employees.

Acting in good faith, the company has on numerous occasions
provided an opportunity to the striking workers to return to
work. Many of them have returned to work. However, employees who
do not perform their jobs on at least five working days, without
permission from management, are considered to have resigned.

For those who refuse to work, the company allows them to
settle this matter legally. All parties are requested not to
benefit/worsen the current dispute just for political and/or
personal interests.

NENGAH SUJANA

Karim Sani

Legal representative for PT Tripatra

Jakarta