Workers protest firm arbitrariness

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Leaders of a union on Wednesday reported alleged arbitrariness by plantation company PT Tolan Tiga Indonesia to Medan councillors.

The management of the Belgium-owned company had removed three union leaders from their respective positions at the company's headquarters in Medan after they demanded annual bonuses, said M.B. Natalwood, the chairman of the Indonesian Staff Union at the company.

The three union leaders in question, who were moved to the company's branches in Rantau Prapat and Bengkulu, were Natalwood, union secretary Ericman Simangunsong and spokesman Deborah Tambunan.

Separately, the company's human resources manager Joni Tobing said that the transfer of staff posts had nothing to do with the company bonus. They were transferred to new posts based on company needs, said Joni. -- JP