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Urgent Appeals
Workers Reinstated at PT Sarasa Balaraja
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Following a long remediation process spearheaded by the CCC, the
Campaign for Labor Rights (CLR), and the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC),
hundreds of workers have been reinstated at an Indonesian garment factory
that was the site of a long-running dispute and the subject of several
CCC calls for action.
PT Sarasa Balaraja (now PT Panca Brothers Swakarsa), a garment production
facility in Balaraja (Northwest Jakarta), Indonesia was unlawfully closed
in February 2004 by its parent company as a means of preventing the
factory union from completing wage negotiations. Pressure on buyers
and management to settle the dispute resulted in an agreement on October
2004 to re-open the factory, under new investment, and reinstate 800
unjustly dismissed workers. Several PT Sarasa clients, including Polo
Ralph Lauren, The Limited and Jones New York, contacted management to
during this process to push them to settle the dispute.
We are pleased to report that as of August 2005 PT Sarasa Balaraja
has now fully complied with its commitment to reinstate all of the 800
previously illegally terminated employees who were interested in returning.
Approximately 700 employees returned, while the other 100 either took
up employment at other locations or chose to take severance pay instead.
In some instances PT Sarasa Balaraja management also helped former employees
find work at new factories.
The WRC reports that the factory's orders seem to be stabilising and
the workers are hopeful that factory conditions will soon be stable
enough for them to resume the formation of their union. As the factory's
orders continue to stabilise, the CCC and allies working on this case
will continue to monitor the broader, basic code compliance issues (such
as occupational health and safety, wages, hours and overtime) and address
any concerns that arise as needed. Thanks to all CCC supporters who
took the time to send messages of concern to factory management and
the brands involved in this case!
