Workers complain to LBH

Workers complain to LBH

JAKARTA (JP): Fifteen people representing 170 workers in dispute with the management of their company, run by the Enteos Club, are seeking help from the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH).

LBH told The Jakarta Post yesterday that the complainants, who have worked for PT Ilmu Inti Swadaya since 1993, are demanding outstanding payment from the Enteos Club.

Workers' spokesperson Pemmy Waluyo said that Enteos Club had paid them in installments since December 1994, rather than monthly, as required by law.

The dispute began when the Enteos Club failed to pay a Rp 3.5 billion (around US$1.5 million) electricity bill to PT Mulia Perdana Pacific, owner of the premises used by Ilmu Inti Swadaya.

No electricity

It ended with all electrical devices and telephone lines being cut off by Mulia Perdana Pacific. The club operated without electricity and telephones from Dec. 13, 1994 to May 7, 1995.

However, all workers were asked to turn up every day during the period without telephones or electricity. "The workers received only their base pay in installments without any interest during that period. This is against the law," LBH's statement said.

From May 7. to Oct. 31. 1995 the company reopened with all its utilities, but the workers still received only their basic pay and in installments.

On Nov. 1 of last year the owner of the building cut off the electricity and phone lines to Ilmu Inti Swadaya a second time. The management again asked the workers to come into the office every day despite the lack of facilities.

Mrs. Linda J. Tani, president of the Enteos Club, said in December of last year that Ilmu Inti Swadaya was no longer operational and that the club could not afford to pay the workers' wages. The workers then went to Linda for clarification about their pay, but got unsatisfactory answers.

On Tuesday (Jan. 23, 1996), at a meeting between the workers and the Enteos Club management, Linda gave each worker Rp 200,000 in severance pay. The money is to be given in two installments, Rp 100,000 on Feb. 29 and another Rp 100,000 on March 31.

The employees refused to sign a letter agreeing to the payment. They also refused to resign.

The workers then went to LBH, demanding that the Enteos Club pay their salaries from November 1995 to January 1996. They also want the management to provide them with severance pay and interest on the part of their salaries that was not paid to them. (sur)