Alwan Ridha Ramdani, Bandung – Thousands of contract laborers of 12 textile and garment companies in Dayeuhkolot Industrial Area, in Bandung, West Java, may not have their contracts renewed.

The dismissal process began two months ago. The Indonesian Businessmen Association in West Java said the measure was an effort to create efficiency in the textile companies.

"We still do not have any orders for next year," said West Java's Indonesian Businessmen Association chairman Dedy Wijaya at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) office in West Java yesterday.

Based on police records, the Industrial Area is employing around 18.000 permanent laborers and 4.900 contract laborers. From around 22.900 laborers, the contracts of 1.810 workers will be terminated, 855 to be sent home, and the contracts of all contract workers will not be renewed.

According to Dayeuhkolot Sector Police chief, Commissioner Edi Suwandi, the police are listing the workers whose contracts will be terminated so as to maintain stability. The 12 textile companies are CV Badjatek, PT BSTM, PT Himalaya, PT BCKL, PT Panasia, PT Dhanar Mas, PT Chandratek, PT Gunatek, PT Fit U Garmen, PT Daliatex, PT Alenatex, and PT Naga Mas.

Meanwhile, Dadang Supriadi, chief of the Bandung Labor Office, said he was not aware of the contract termination in Dayeuhkolot. "If there is any termination of contract, they must report it to the government," he said.