TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The workers' union of PT Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) has finally ended its' strike after having reached a deal with PT Pelindo II and PT JICT. The deal was mediated by the Chief of Jakarta Police, Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian, after a negotiation that went on until midday.
"The strike has ended, and I call on everyone to go back to work," said the Secretary General of JICT's Workers Union, Firmansyah, at JICT's Headquarters on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.
Previously, operation at the Terminal had been disrupted since 04.00 in the morning as a result of a partial shut down of the Terminal's operating signals. At 09.00, activities have partially resumed, but no loading and unloading of cargoes were done because of the worker's strike.
The strike is caused by the decision made by JICT to fire two of its' IT managers - Ikbal and Hermanto Usman - without any prior warning. JICT has since reinstated both workers through a letter written on behalf of its' Board of Commissioners.
The workers also called on PT Pelindo II to annul the extension of The contract between JICT and Hutchison Port - a corporate act which they deem could cost the state-owned company.
Jakarta Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian has promised to investigate the allegations of unfair dismissals, as well as allegations of unlawful demonstration by the workers. "North Jakarta Police are now investigating the legality of the dismissal, and will be responsible to oversee their reinstatement," he said.
As a result of the strike, 3,663 containers that were supposed to be unloaded had to be diverted to the shipyard's holding area - which caused a 5 kilometer long traffic jam on Jl. Yos Sudarso.
ROBBY IRFANY