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)