Rofiudin, Semarang – Several companies in Central Java have been dismissing workers since September due to the world financial crisis and this will continue.

"Businesses cannot do anything in facing the global crisis. The export market is bad. There are no more orders," said Central Java's Indonesian Businessmen Association's advocacy division head, Agung Wahono, on Tuesday (2/12).

According to Agung, companies have been forced to dismiss their workers because they could not resume their activities.

These companies include PT Daya Manunggal Tekstil (Damatex) Salatiga, which dismissed 237 workers, PT Rimba Karya Prima Magelang dismissed 180 workers, PT Batamtex Ungaran dismissed around 100 workers, and PT Aditex dismissed 850 workers.

According to Agung, in addition to issues related to the global crisis, increasing workers' wages is also another reason for the dismissals.

Central Java governor Bibit Waluyo has set an average rise of 12 percent for the minimum monthly wage in Central Java compared to last year. Businesspeople asked that a rise in the minimum monthly wage should not exceed more than six percent. "The governor ignored our request," said Agung.