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230 Locked Out Indonesian Workers Ask For Your Support!Posted September 9, 2003 Workers at the PT Busana Prima Global factory in Indonesia, which produces garments for such sportswear brands as Head, Le Coq Sportif, Lotto, Ecko Unltd., and Bear USA, have been locked out following their participation in a strike on July 11. TAKE ACTIONFax or email the management of the factory and those U.S. companies that produce their garments there to demand that it reinstate its workers and respect union rights! BACKGROUNDFollowing a strike in May, management at PT Busana Prima Global agreed (on May 19) to various workers' demands, including a demand that management allow workers to exercise their legal right to form a union. After the workers formed a union (SBTP, affiliated to ABGteks) on June 1, however, management embarked on an anti-union campaign, demoting union board members and cutting their pay. Two union board members were indefinitely suspended and other union members were fired (June 24). On July 11, 300 workers went on strike to demand that management end all intimidation of union members and follow up on the commitments they made on May 19. Workers were heavily pressured to return to work, and on July 12, 70 workers agreed to return to work and not strike again. On July 15, the Ministry of Manpower mediated a meeting between management and worker representatives, during which the company agreed to accept the striking workers back at the factory - except for four suspended workers - and agreed not to intimidate the workers involved in the strike. Nonetheless, the following day, the company refused to allow the workers to return to work. The 230 PT Busana Prima Global workers want to return to work and are requesting international support. They have asked for letters of protest to PT Busana Prima Global management and to the brands sourcing at the factory. TAKE ACTION!1) Please adapt the sample letter below and email it to PT Busana Prima Global management. The workers union would also appreciate being copied. SAMPLE LETTERDear Sir, Your company's actions against these workers, and in particular the leadership of the union, violate Indonesian labor laws (the right to organize), as well as fundamental workers' rights, and constitute a human rights violation. I believe that workers at PT Busana Prima Global are entitled to be represented by the union of their choosing, without intimidation or discrimination. I fully support the workers in this matter and urge you to immediately:
For your information, I am also contacting the companies here in the U.S. that produce their garments at your facility (ex. Bear USA, Ecko Unltd.) to share my concerns with them. Thank you for your consideration. I hope that you will take action as recommended above. Sincerely, [your name/organization here] send copies of your letters to the union: PT Busana management Head Offices and Factory I: Mr Park Jae Han, President Director PT. Busana Prima
Global Please cc a hard-copy of your email to the following other
facilities owned by PT Busana Global: Jl. Raya Bogor Km.28, Pekayon, Ps. Rebo Jakarta Factory III: Jl. Meranti 2 Blok L3 No. 3B 2) Please adapt and send the following letter to the U.S. companies that produce their garments at PT Busana Prima Global SAMPLE LETTERDear [insert name], I am contacting you with regard to reports of serious labor rights violations at PT Busana Prima Global, a factory located in Bogor, Indonesia that produces garments for your company. I am deeply troubled to learn that 230 workers at this factory have been refused entry to their workplace, despite an agreement with management (mediated by the Ministry of Manpower on July 15) to allow them to return to work. According to reports, management is punishing these workers for their participation in a legal strike on July 11. Workers were on strike to demand that management follow up on commitments made on May 19 to stop their campaign of anti-union harassment. PT Busana Prima Global workers have a right to be represented by the union of their choosing and I request that you take steps to pressure your supplier to respect this very important, legally-enshrined right. Please contact management today to urge them (a) to immediately allow these workers to return to work and (b) to put an end to their anti-union campaign. For your information, I have also contact PT Busana Prima Global management to let them know my concerns. I believe that your company has an important role to play in helping to resolve this dispute. Please understand that I am NOT asking you to cut your contracts with PT Busana Prima Global, but instead respectfully request that you work with your supplier to reach a solution that is satisfactory to the workers who make your goods and is in keeping with Indonesian law. Again, I urge you to take prompt action in this matter. Please contact your supplier today to request reinstatement of the 230 workers, without any penalties or harassment, and to recognize their trade union. Please keep me informed of the action your company takes to resolve these important issues. Sincerely, [your name/organization here] contact for U.S. companies sourcing from PT Busana Prima Global: Bear U.S.A., Inc. Marc Ecko 3) Please mail or email the Campaign for Labor Rights copies of your letter and any responses you receive. Campaign for Labor Rights |
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