PLN withdraws threat of cutting electricity supplies after labor protests
Friday, October 13 2000 - 03:00 AM WIB
The head of state electricity company PT PLN's West Java distribution unit, Agus Pranoto, promised on Thursday not to cut electricity supplies to textile producers following a demonstration by some 500 textile workers from 15 companies in Bandung, West Java.
Agus conveyed the promise in the meeting between leaders of PLN's West Java distribution unit and representatives of the protesters, mediated by the Federation of All Indonesian Labor Unions (FSPSI).
In the meeting, the protesters demanded PLN to implement the electricity tariff increase gradually and not to cut electricity supplies to textile industries until January 2001.
Agus promised to take the protesters' demand, especially about the gradual implementation of the new tariff increase, to the government through PLN's leadership in Jakarta. He also ensured the protesters that PLN's West Java distribution unit would not cut electricity supplies to textile producers until January 2001 as the protesters had demanded.
After the meeting, the protesters dispersed peacefully.
Earlier, Agus called a press conference on Sept. 19 that PLN would cut electricity supplies to industries that did not pay their electricity bills fully according to the new tariffs.
Conflicts between PLN and some large businesses, including large textile producers, have been heightening following the latter's refusal to heed the sharp rise in electricity increase of between 83 percent to 101 percent. They demanded that PLN impose the new tariffs gradually.
The head of FSPSI's West Java branch, Moch Husein Alwi, called on the PLN to be flexible to accommodate the businesses' demand. Otherwise, industries would be forced to lay off more workforce to keep their operation afloat. (*)