Dini Suciatiningrum, Jakarta – As many as 14 CNN Indonesia media workers have been sacked (PHK) by the CNN Indonesia management. The unilateral layoffs were done after the workers formed the CNN Indonesia Workers Solidarity trade union (SPCI) on Tuesday August 27.
SPCI Chairperson Taufiqurrohman said that a notification of the layoffs was sent via email and signed by the Human Capital Development (HRD) head Yenita Achyar when the SPCI was holding a discussion and launch of the trade union in Jakarta on August 31.
"As of August 31, 2024, 14 of the 15 SPCI members have received notifications via email that they have been laid off. The names of the 14 people were recorded in an attorney's document that was submitted to the HRD to invite bipartite [negotiations]", Taufiqurrohman said when contacted by IDN Times on Sunday September 1.
Taufiqurrohman considers that the CNN Indonesia management is using unconstitutional, arrogant and arbitrary methods by immediately cutting their job access.
"[They] didn't wait long, as of August 31, 2024, our work access was terminated. For example email, [we were] removed from the WhatsApp group and we were prohibited from coming to work. Yet, this problem is still in the process of dispute", he said.
Taufiqurrohman believes that the unilateral layoffs did not occur suddenly because they are currently in a dispute with the CNN Indonesia management over unilateral wage deduction over the past three months, from June to August.
"We rejected the unilateral wage cuts. We reported it as a dispute with the DKI Jakarta Labour, Transmigration and Energy Office on August 23, 2024. The wage cuts were done illegally because it was done without a valid directive", he said.
Taufiqurrohman emphasised that SPCI was officially registered as a trade union with the South Jakarta Labour, Transmigration and Energy Office on August 27.
"The trade union was declared on July 27, 2024. It was established as a vehicle in the struggle against the unilateral wage cuts. In the process of establishing the trade union, it was also in the context of intimidation experienced by a number of the declarators", he said.
The IDN Times has contacted CNN Indonesia chief editor Titin Rosmasari but she has refused to have her statement quoted.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Belasan Pekerja CNN Indonesia Kena PHK Usai Bentuk Serikat".]
