Workers' union takes 450 hostages in Bekasi

More than 450 permanent workers, including 8 foreign employees, working for PT Japan Solderless Terminal (JST) in Cibitung, Bekasi, have been taken hostage by workers under the Indonesian Metal Workers Federation (FSPMI) flag since Monday afternoon.

One of the hostages, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the FSPMI members would not let the people leave the facility, including one sick foreigner whom he said had to take daily medications.

“The federation demands that around 500 non-regular workers, who are also part of the federation, be employed permanently, claiming that the management had promised such a move after the Idul Fitri holidays,” the source told The Jakarta Post over the phone.

“Even pregnant and breastfeeding mothers were only allowed to leave at 9 p.m. That too was after a strong quarrel between hostages and the federation," he added.

The police, JST management and the federation are currently in talks to discuss the best possible way to free the hostages.

PT Japan Solderless Terminal is a connector manufacturing company. The Indonesian office is located in the MM2100 Industrial Area in Bekasi, West Java.(fzm/swd)