The number of layoffs reached 14,000 people between January and March this year, due to the current global crisis, and at least 2,000 more jobs are at risk, a union worker has revealed.
"We insist the governor and related officials act quickly to prevent further dismissals," said Jamaludin, the chairman of the Alliance of Workers in Protest (ABM), on Thursday.
The ABM and the People's Worker Union (SBK) of the Workers Alliance Congress (Kasbi) noted as of March 14, 2009, workers from 90 companies in 17 regencies and cities in East Java had been laid off.
Jamaludin said 14 companies in East Java had collapsed and closed, while 31 others were temporary shut down as the financial crisis hit them. Most of the affected companies are labor-intensive, producing garments, furniture, footwear and electronic equipment.
He said most dismissals had happened in Sidoarjo, totaling 3,000, followed by Pasuruan (2,000) and Gresik (1,500). There were also layoffs in Surabaya, Malang, Mojokerto and Nganjuk.
Along with other labor organizations, Jamaludin called on the governor and regents, as well as regents and mayors across the province, to place legal pressure on companies that were treating the workers unfairly.
"It's a shame the related officials in the province still have not taken concrete action to address the issue, which continues to worsen," he said.
Chairman of SBK Syahrial Romadhon said most companies did not provide proper severance payments for their workers.
"They violate the Manpower Law by paying their workers less than they should do, but yet there is still no any legal action from the government."
According to the provincial manpower office data, the number of jobless in East Java has reached 1.2 million this year.
Separately, the manpower office head, Sulastri, said the number of dismissed workers had reached 16,000 people.
"As of early April, the number of dismissed workers reached 12,000 people. But this week, there were an additional 4,000 dismissed workers," Sulastri said, as quoted by Antara.
She said the administration would help the dismissed workers by providing equipment.
"We help workers with special skills. They should set up small independent groups. This year, we aimed to help 108 groups of dismissed workers."
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