Union leader Mr Zulkarnain was dismissed by PT Schneider Electric on 21 May 2021, with the company claiming that he was incapable of carrying out his work.
In reality, it was the culmination of a blatant strategy to get rid of him.
In May 2020, PT Schneider changed Mr Zulkarnain’s job to one that does not match his skills and work experience. Despite being employed as a metrology engineer for more than 10 years, the company arbitrarily changed his position to supplier quality engineer, with new responsibilities. The company claimed it was for his self-development and that his current workload was too light.
He was forced to accept the position because management said he could either take the offer or leave.
On 10 March 2021, management gave him both a first and second warning letter, alleging underperformance. Dismissal followed in May.
Management told Mr Zulkarnain not to appeal the dismissal through the union and that if he did, he would receive only 50 per cent of the compensation package.
His union, the Federation of Hotel, Restaurant, Plaza, Apartment, Catering and Tourism Workers’ Free Union (FSPM), filed a complaint with the district labour department. However, PT Schneider Electric failed to attend the mediation meetings on 1 and 8 July. Meanwhile, the district labour department said underperformance could not be a reason for dismissal.
The president of FSPM, Riden Hatam Aziz, said that the dismissal of Mr Zulkarnain was clearly union-busting and that it was a real threat for workers to continue to fight for their fundamental rights in the workplace.
