Dozens Of Logistics Damri Workers Say They Haven't Received 14 Months Of Salary

The Damri Logistics Workers Union staged a protest against salary arrears in Cakung, East Jakarta, Monday (13/6/2022). ANTARA/HO-Personal Documentation

JAKARTA - Around 85 employees of the Logistics Damri on Jalan KRT Radjiman Widyodiningrat, Cakung District, East Jakarta, admitted that they had not received their salary for 14 months.

Secretary of the Logistics Branch of the Damri Workers' Union, Setioso, said the workers had not received a salary since November 2020 with a total arrears of around Rp. 2.9 billion.

"There are several reasons (Damri), indeed the COVID-19 (pandemic) is the main reason, as well as management (problems)," Setioso said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, June 17.

Setioso explained that since November 2020 until now, he has only received salary payments several times, namely when the old General Manager was changed to the Acting General Manager.

According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic that has occurred in recent years cannot be used as an excuse because the 85 employees have been working in the office since 2020.

Setioso said that although the workers had not yet received their salaries, they had never gone on strike. The workers, he said, only had time to protest on Monday (13/6) in the office area.

"If it's called a strike, we're not going on strike. Because for the cargo of pilgrims, we are still serving. Because the Embarkation of Lampung, West Java, Pondok Gede, Jakarta, Solo is still running," said Setioso.

In addition, continued Setioso, representatives of the Damri Logistik trade union held a meeting to discuss the issue on Friday (10/6) at Damri's head office, Matraman District.

However, so far there have been no satisfactory results. As a result of the unpaid salary, many of the Damri Logistik workers are forced into debt to meet the daily needs of their families.

Setioso said that his party still opens the opportunity to resolve the problem through deliberation with the management.

Meanwhile, Damri Atikah Abdullah's PR when confirmed regarding this matter said that at this time his party was still coordinating with related divisions.

"I must first coordinate with the relevant divisions. I will be notified later," said Atikah.