[asia-apec 683] Update on PT Maspion Case, Indonesia

[ALARM (APEC Labour Rights Monitor)]

The following is the letter from the Department of Manpower Republic of
Indonesia in response to Mr Jantien Meijer of Clean Clothes Campaign,
Netherlands.
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Mr Jantien Meijer
Clean Clothes Campaign
PO Box 11584, Amsterday
Netherlands

Dear Mr. Meijer,

In responding to your letter of 13 July 190 regarding the death of Mr.
Lasimo, a worker of PT Maspion in East Java, I am pleased to inform you as
follows: 

On the 3rd of June 1998, the SPSI trade union and PT Alumindo reached
agreement on several items.
On the 4th of June some of the workers who are not happy with the agreement
started to mobilize the workers from the 4 plant units of PT Maspion for a
strike.
In the morning of the 5th of June 1998, the strikers were planning to go to
the Provincial House of People Representatives of East Java at Indrapura
Street, Suraboya, during which Mr. Lasimo fell down and was immediately
brought to the hospital by his colleague for medical treatment. He went
home from the hospital on the 6th of June 1998, but then died at home on
the 7th of June 1998.
The strike went through until they reached agreement on the 9th of June
1998 at the Provincial House of People Representatives.
The company was informed on the death of Mr. Lasimo by his wife on the 12th
of June.
On 15th June 1998, a meeting was held and attended by Mr. Lasimo's family,
representatives of Branch of FSPSI (trade union) of Sidoarjo,
representative of FSPSI at Central Level, Security Coordinatory of PT
Maspion, and Chief of Regional Police of Surabaya. The meeting concluded
among others the following point: (i) a close investigation of the case
will be taken; and, (ii) the death and old age insurance benefits should be
paid promptly.
On the 16th of June, the management has paid benefits about Rp 1.5 million,
and on 7 July 1998, the Social Security Scheme has paid death benefits of
about Rp. 1.8 million. The military continues to investigate if there was
of the security official on the case.

I hope this information will be useful and meet your expectation.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

On behalf of the Minister of Manpower for Secretary General,