“I want to keep working for my boss when I get better, but I also need money to get by while my hand recovers.”
Although disputes between workers and employers are common, finding a solution is not always an easy task. Where businesses and employees are not formally registered, the situation can become even more confusing, as Agus has discovered: “I worked for a family who has a business making cloth. A few weeks ago, I had an accident at work and my hand was badly hurt. I had to go to the hospital to get my hand looked at and treated, which cost a lot of money. When I got out of hospital, I asked my employer to pay my hospital fees as well as to give me some money to feed my family while I recovered. When I approached him, he refused to do this, saying that it wasn’t his fault, and that he didn’t have to pay me anything.”
Enforcing their rights
Despite the fact that Agus spoke several times with his employer about his need for financial help, he was unable to reach an agreement. “I want to keep working for my bosses when I get better,” Agus says, “but I also need money to get by while my hand recovers.” Even though Agus thinks his employer should cover the costs related to his workplace injury, he doesn’t know how to bring about this outcome. Without proper information on how to enforce his rights, people like Agus run the risk of financial ruin.
Keeping it outside the courtroom
In addition, workers like Agus often want to solve the matter outside the courtroom in an attempt to remain in good standing with the employer. As Agus put it: “I need this to be done in cooperation with my employer, as my job is very important to my family and I want to go back to it when I recover.” Agus fears that litigation in court could destroy the relationship with his employer and possibly get him fired, leaving him without a job and income.
It is important that workers like Agus have access to information about of their rights and the means to enforce them in a manner that will not jeopardize their livelihoods.
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