Conoco workers protest massive layoff measure

At least 30 workers of ConocoPhilips Ramba Ltd lodged their protest at the local aid institution (LBH) in Palembang, South Sumatra for the massive layoff measure carried by the oil company recently, Sriwijaya Post reported on Tuesday.

The layoff which effected about 125 workers, 45 of them directly employed by Conoco and 80 hired from manpower supplier PT Jimmulya would begin effective on March 16. The layoff measure was made due the decline in the works in the company but the workers said that the compensation payment given to them was too small.

Ilyas, one of the workers, said that the compensation payment was based on the working term beginning in 2000 while most of the workers had worked for the company for more than 10 years.

Conoco took over the concession area in Prabumulih regency from Gulf Resources Indonesia. "The name of the company has changed but the workers remain the same," he said.

Sofhuan, a senior executive of the LBH legal aid institution, said that the layoff measure made by Conoco was illegal because it was imposed without prior consent from the local manpower office. He also said that the reason made by the company in the layoff of the workers was also irrational. "It does not really make sense if the layoff measure is made only due the decline of the works volume," he said. (*)