Wamenaker Noel Threatens To Take Legal Paths If PT BSI Violates Labor Rights

Employees of PT Bumi Sarimas Indonesia held a demonstration in Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra (West Sumatra), ANTARA/Muhammad Zulfikar

PADANG PARIAMAN - The Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker) has confirmed that it will take legal action if the owner of PT Bumi Sarimas Indonesia (BSI) in Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra, is proven to have violated the rights of workers which can lead to criminal acts.

"If they were playing games, what would we take, friends? Legal action," said Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker) Immanuel Ebenezer when meeting hundreds of PT BSI workers who held a demonstration in Padang Pariaman, Antara, Thursday, August 7.

The hundreds of workers demanded payment of their salaries that have not been paid for the past four months. This action was also attended by the Deputy Governor of West Sumatra, members of the DPRD, and the Padang Pariaman Police Chief.

In front of the workers, Wamenaker promised to follow up on the issue thoroughly.

"If this company deceive the Deputy Minister of Manpower, Deputy Governor of West Sumatra, and the Chief of Police, I think the owner of this company is already at the god level," said Immanuel, who is familiarly called Noel.

He also encouraged the workers not to get tired of fighting for their rights. Noel emphasized that the government will continue to be present and oversee the struggle of the workers.

"Never stop fighting. This is a form of our patriotism for all of our friends' families," he said.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the All-Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) PT BSI, Nanda Putra, welcomed the presence of Wamenaker who went directly to the location and pressured the company to fulfill its obligations.

"Earlier, the results of the conversation with the company leadership, they promised to pay all employee salaries at the end of this month," said Nanda.

However, he reminded that the workers had repeatedly heard similar promises that had not been kept. Therefore, he hopes that this time the company really fulfills his words.