Apindo Claims Hundred Of Billions Lost To Labor Strikes

Jakarta, Nov 1 (Antara) - The Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) claims that hundred of billions of rupiahs have been lost due to labor strikes throughout the country in the past two days. "The loss is believed to have reached hundred of billions due to the strikes in the past two days, although calculations are still being made to find the correct figures," Apindo`s chairman, Sofyan Wanandi, said here on Friday. He noted that employers had suffered very large financial losses because workers had taken to the streets and forced companies to close to allow their workers to take part in their demonstrations. Sofyan warned that the workers` actions could damage the investment climate in the country. "Many investors have threatened to leave," he added. He said that many investors left the country last year, resulting in 200,000 workers losing their jobs. Sofyan acknowledged that going on strike is the right of workers, but the problem is that other workers have been forced to participate. "The striking workers are raiding companies and forcing workers who continue working to stop and join them," he said. Workers have conducted strikes in various regions throughout the country in the past few days to press for their demands, including a pay raise, causing a number of industrial plants and companies to stop operating.