Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Nicke Widyawati, President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero), was recently named the most influential woman by Forbes. Nicke’s position in the list of 100 influential women even surpassed the Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani. However, in recent days, the union in BUMN The oil and gas sector even urged SOE Minister Erick Thohir to fire the leader.
The union is part of the United Pertamina Workers Union Federation (FSPPB). Those who have urged Nicke to be sacked have also threatened to launch mass strikes on December 29, 2021 and January 7, 2022. This threat is arguably the first time in history.
FSPPB Media Head Captain Marcellus Hakeng Jayawibawa admitted that he had sent a letter to Pertamina management and the Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah on December 20, 2021 regarding the planned strike action. The letter was also copied to Erick Thohir.
There are at least five reasons why unions threaten to strike. First, there is no agreement to enter into a collective work agreement (PKB) in the company. Second, employers and workers represented by FSPPB failed to negotiate.
Third, continued Hakeng, there was no goodwill from Nicke to build a harmonious, dynamic and fair working relationship. Fourth, the management did not respond to the peace efforts taken by the FSPPB.
Fifth, Erick ignored the union’s request to replace Pertamina’s leadership. In addition, management is also said to have not implemented the contents of the CLA, one of which is related to employee welfare.
Pertamina’s management, said Hakeng, suddenly issued a decision to cut employee salaries. “When we tried to remind him of this, the communication room was not enough. What we were discussing could not be conveyed properly to the board of directors,” he explained to CNNIndonesia.com, Tuesday (21/12).
Actually, continued Hakeng, workers understand the company’s situation in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, oddly enough, the salary cuts were actually carried out when the company posted a positive performance. “In fact, it’s a huge advantage,” he continued.
Citing Pertamina’s official website, net profit was US$183 million or equivalent to Rp. 2.6 trillion in the first semester of 2021. This realization is in contrast to the previous year’s loss of up to US$768 million.
Inevitably, workers wonder why their rights have been reduced when management publicly boasts that their performance is exceptionally good.
“If workers’ rights cannot be fulfilled, the rights in the CLA cannot be fulfilled because of Covid-19, that’s okay. But the directors must also get the same treatment, yes, we are not demanding,” he said.
In fact, the directors still get the rights in the CLA in full. Meanwhile, workers’ rights have been reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “There is no justice, it should be equal, fair,” said Hakeng quietly.
Ironically, Hakeng said the decision to cut salaries was sudden. In fact, the letter was issued without first communicating with the union. The reason is because of the work from home policy.
In fact, workers need additional fees to buy internet quota in order to work from home. “This should be a concern. It should not be reduced,” said Hakeng.
Moreover, the salary cuts were made after two years of no salary increase. Even so, he denied that the salary cut was the main reason the Pertamina labor union went on strike. According to him, another reason is communication in the direction of the board of directors to workers. “Many derivatives of the PKB have been violated. More than 10,” he said.
According to Pertamina’s President Commissioner Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok, the management has not actually issued a decision to cut employee salaries. However, the policy has been included in management planning.
Ahok admitted that he had warned management that the salary cuts should have started from the board of directors if it was to be realized. “I have said that if there is a salary cut, it must start from the directors. It can’t just be employees who work from home,” Ahok explained.
CNNIndonesia.com has tried to confirm the decision to cut employee salaries to Pertamina VP Corporate Communication Fajriyah Usman. However, there has been no response until this news was revealed.
Conditions for Cancellation of Work Strike
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