Ogan Komering Ilir, KOTABARI.COM – Protests involving hundreds of employees of the PT Mitra Ogan palm oil plantation took place in the courtyard of the PKS office in Karang Dapo Village, Peninjauan District, Ogan Komering Ulu Regency on Wednesday (4/3/2024). The demonstration, marked by the burning of used tires, highlighted the delay in payment of salaries up to three months and Eid bonuses (THR).
In their action, around 200 employees representing a total of 600 PT Mitra Ogan employees criticized the company’s management to immediately pay overdue salaries and Eid bonuses. “According to regulations, Eid bonuses must be paid no later than 7 days before Eid,” shouted one employee loudly.
The employees stated that this action was a form of dissatisfaction with the delay in payment, which had forced them to endure hunger and difficulty in meeting basic needs. “We want to buy rice, not buy new clothes,” said one employee angrily.
According to one employee’s statement, they had worked hard for the advancement of the company, but a salary of Rp 3 million per month had not been paid for the last three months.
The Chairman of the PT Mitra Ogan Workers Union, Hadi Yamin, emphasized that the company must pay salaries and Eid bonuses in accordance with applicable regulations. “If not paid by 00:00 tonight, all activities will stop starting tomorrow,” said Hadi firmly.
Meanwhile, the management of PT Mitra Ogan has not yet provided an official response to the employees’ demands. One of the company’s managers, Widiyatmono, confirmed the protest but refused to provide detailed explanations regarding the reasons for the delay in salary payments.
Information from internal sources in the company revealed that the delay in salary payments was only about two months, not three months as stated by the employees. “The company’s management promised that these salaries would be paid before Eid,” said one source who wished to remain anonymous.
As of the writing of this news, there has been no official confirmation from the management of PT Mitra Ogan regarding the follow-up to the employees’ demands. This protest action indicates tension between employees and company management that must be resolved promptly to maintain stability in the workplace.