Textile Workers Mark Day 2 of Strike

About 1,700 workers from a polyester and textile manufacturer in Tangerang, Banten, continued their strike on Wednesday, after they failed to reach an agreement with the company’s management over several issues, including monthly wages and trade unions.

Syahlan Hidayat, the workers spokesman, told state-run Antara news agency that the strike would continue because management of PT Susila Indah Fiber Industries (Sulindafin) had not met their demands.

The company’s entire workforce began the strike on Tuesday with a sit-in at the company’s compound on Jalan Imam Bonjol, under the watchful eyes of tens of police from Tangerang district.

Syahlan said the workers presented a six-point petition to the management on Tuesday which the workers want management to meet if the strike is to end.

He did not reveal the workers’ demands, but stressed that they wanted the company to stop arbitrary worker negotiations. The workers also wanted the company to allow them to set up a trade union and that the company’s management should not intimidate union executives and members once it is established.

Syahlan also said that they were planning to take their case to the Ministry of Labor and Transmigration and the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta today.

While the freedom of expression and organization is guaranteed by the constitution, most companies in Indonesia do not want their workers to form a trade union out of fear that it would only encourage labor strikes. Three workers from Sulindafin are currently suspended for having supported labor protests in Jakarta on May 1, International Labor Day. The striking workers demanded that the management of Sulindafin reinstate the three workers.

According to Syahlan, the workers were also disappointed that the company only paid them a monthly salary of Rp 850,000 ($85), compared to the minimum salary of Rp 1,064,500 in Tangerang.

Each district is authorized to set the minimum wage for workers every year, taking into account the minimum physical needs in the area. In practice, the local labor agency, leaders of business communities and worker representatives hold talks to set the minimum wage. The agreed minimum wage, however, is not binding as management of companies could seek exemption from the ministry of labor and transmigration if the new minimum wage threatens them to go bankrupt.