Meet Workers Who Are Not Paid 4 Months In West Sumatra, Wamenaker Noel: If They Play, The State Will Take Action

Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker) Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan (holding loudspeakers) encouraged PT Bumi Sari Mas Indonesia/DOK ANTARA workers

PADANG PARIAMAN Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker) Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan met hundreds of employees of PT Bumi Sari Mas Indonesia who held a demonstration in Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra, Thursday, July 7. The workers protested the unpaid salaries over the past four months.

Noel, Wamenaker's nickname, expressed his presence among the workers and the Deputy Governor of West Sumatra as proof that the state does not remain silent in responding to labor issues.

"The state will not ignore the problems of fellow workers," said Noel in front of the employees who rallied, quoted from Antara, Thursday, August 7.

He said he was concerned about the attitude of the company's management which had neglected the rights of workers for a long time. According to him, this has a direct impact on the lives of the workers' families.

Noel also reminded companies not to mess with the fate of workers. He emphasized that the state has an obligation to protect and fight for the rights of workers.

"If they play with the fate of workers, don't blame the state. The state has an obligation to take the best action for workers," he said.

The Ministry of Manpower, said Noel, has asked the company's management to immediately resolve the issue of the salary arrears. If it is ignored, the government will not hesitate to take legal steps.

He said decisive action could be taken, starting from administrative executions to legal processes if criminal elements were found in this case.

However, the government also encourages settlement through dialogue. According to Noel, the task of the state is to become a bridge between workers and employers so that both parties can find concrete solutions.

"The task of the state is to bridge the interests of workers and employers fairly," he said.

An employee of PT Bumi Sari Mas Indonesia expressed his disappointment with the company's promises that have not been realized. For months they waited for salary payments, but there was no clarity.

"We really regret it. We haven't received salaries for four months," he said.