Yuli Tri Suwarni, Bandung – Unions representing thousands of employees of PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) have demanded that the state-run aircraft maker pay workers' January salaries and restore healthcare benefits.
The demands were raised in a letter signed by the leaders of four labor unions that was sent to PT DI managing director Budi Santoso on Feb. 8. The unions signing the letter were the Dirgantara Indonesia Workers Union (SPEDI), the Dirgantara Indonesia Workers Federation (SKDI), the Dirgantara Indonesia Workers Association (HKDI) and the Sekar CN 235 Workers Union.
SPEDI leader Haribes Alinoesin said PT DI had again failed to pay the full salaries of more than 4,900 workers in January.
The company previously failed pay employee salaries from September to December, while employee healthcare at Hasan Sadikin General Hospital and other partner hospitals lapsed as of September after the company did not pay hospital claims, he said.
"In January this year, each of us only received Rp 2.5 million [US$280], while the company announced that it would pay the outstanding amount immediately. However we have yet to receive it as of now," Haribes said in Bandung on Thursday.
Employees said they were concerned about the decline in the company's ability to meet its obligations, which might negatively affect their productivity.
"Late salary payments and medical expenses have caused workers to be trapped in debt. Some of them have even had to sell their belongings [to pay] for household needs, their children's education and medical bills," Henny said.
PT DI spokesman Rakhendi Triyatna said the company was facing liquidity problems due to a gap between its spending and income and a lack of working capital.
"We spent a specific amount and expected to gain a particular amount, but it was quite late," said Rakhendi who declined discuss the company's cash flow in detail.
Rakhendi said outstanding salaries would be paid by Feb. 11 thanks to injection of funds from Assets Management Company (PPA) which took over PT DI in December.
The takeover, he added, would hopefully solve PT DI's financial woes.