Workers face mass dismissal

Workers face mass dismissal

BANDUNG, West Java: Dozens of PT Bintertex textile company employees went to the local manpower office on Saturday to report that they have been forced to resign and accept a compensation that was set by the company itself.

The workers said they refused to sign the severance papers or take the money, which ranged from Rp 20,000 (US$ 8.70) to Rp 56,000 plus a three-meter piece of cloth for workers who have been working for one year.

The company also threatened the workers that they would lose the money altogether if they refused to sign the papers, Antara reported on Saturday.

One manpower official, Cucu, has attempted to contact the company but failed because "nobody picked up the phone".

"It's not that we refused to be dismissed, but the company should pay a decent compensation, especially with the Lebaran holiday approaching," one worker said. (swe)