Anthony Salim's Indomaret Is Boycotted Next Week, Due To THR

Indomaret outlets. (Photo: Doc. Indomarco Prismatama)

JAKARTA - The Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) is supporting the Federation of Indonesian MetalWorkers Union (FSPMI) which is taking action not to shop in Indomaret throughout Indonesia starting next week.

The boycott of convenience stores was due to the non-payment of holiday allowances (THR), which the management of the conglomerate's retailer Anthony Salim did for workers as a whole.

FSPMI and KSPI members who have expressed their commitment not to shop in Indomaret include Jakarta, Tangerang, Serang, Cilegon, Bogor, Depok, Bekasi, Karawang, Purwakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Lampung, Medan, Deli Serdang, Batam, Surabaya, Sidoarjo, Mojokerto, and other cities.

FSPMI President Riden Hatam Aziz said that in addition to the boycott, there will also be a rally in front of PT Indomarco Prismatama offices throughout Indonesia as a form of support and solidarity for Anwar Bessy.

Related to this action, PRESIDENT OF KSPI, Said Iqbal explained, there has been a serious violation by the management of PT Indomarco Prismatama which in paying THR is not in accordance with the contents of the company's regulations through the Collective Labor Agreement (PKB).

Where it should be, workers who have a working period of up to three years get THR 1 month wages, working periods of 3-7 years are paid 1.5 months wages, and 7 years and above are paid 2 months wages.

"The trade union argues, management in paying THR 2020 is not in accordance with the regulations of companies that have been registered with the Labor Office and legislation such as Law No. 13 of 2003 and PP No. 78 of 2015," said Said Iqbal through his statement in Jakarta, Saturday, May 22.

According to him, the position of the Company's Regulation as PKB is equal and equal in value to the law. Company regulations are binding on workers.

Thus, said Said, THR for Indomarco workers who have a working period of 7 years and above who are paid 50% of the value of the regulation has violated the law, it should be suspected that there is an element of civil and criminal violations (embezzlement of workers' wages in the form of THR).

"Not paying THR in accordance with the contents of company regulations, should be preceded by negotiations to get an agreement with the workers or unions representing workers. Not paying thr unilaterally for 50% of the company's regulations," he said.

Whereas it should be, continued Said Iqbal, the damage caused (approximately 20 cm gypsum damaged by the spontaneous actions of Anwar Bessy who was angry because the company violated the contents of company regulations), carried out peace and enough compensation. Not bringing to justice the criminal realm that threatens Anwar Bessy with a prison sentence.

As a form of support for FSPMI, KSPI will bring the criminalization of Anwar Bessy to the ILO Session in Jeneva in June 2021 due to alleged violations of ILO Convention No 87 on Freedom of Association and No 98 on The Right to Negotiate.

"KSPI as a member of the Confederation of World Trade Unions (ITUC) will also ask the ILO to send a letter to the Government of Indonesia and Indomarco Management," he said.

In addition, KSPI will conduct an international campaign against labor rights and alleged criminalization that has been carried out by PT Indomarco Prismata. As is known, the ILO session will be attended by trade union delegations from all over the world. So this international campaign will certainly get widespread support.

"The issue of the campaign that we will stretch is the largest retail company in Indonesia Indomaret allegedly ignores workers' rights and criminalizes its own workers," said Said Iqbal.

KSPI will also instruct its 2.2 million workers in 30 provinces and 300 districts/cities to support indomaret boycott campaign, as well as conduct mass action in front of Indomaret shops throughout Indonesia in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulations.

Said Iqbal appealed to the parties, especially to the central leadership of Indomaret Group to revoke the case of Anwar Bessy and release him from criminalization, as well as pay thr rights of Indomaret Group workers throughout Indonesia in accordance with company regulations.

KSPI also requested that negotiations between the two sides be facilitated by the Ministry of Finance within the next week, before calls for a boycott of Indomaret and international campaigns were actually conducted.

"Seyogyanya indomaret central leadership considers the statement of the Chairman of DPD RI who stated there is no need to bring this case to court. Simply resolved through peace by paying compensation," said Said Iqbal.