Angry workers rampage over holiday bonuses<\/p>\n
TANGERANG (JP): Some 8,000 protesting workers from two
\nfactories producing Nike shoes went on a rampage on Wednesday
\nafternoon, vandalizing seven cars in the parking lot of PT
\nAstra's Shoe Industry Division on Jl. Raya Serang in Balaraja,
\nTangerang.<\/p>\n
The group staged a massive protest beginning at noon to demand
\nlarger holiday bonuses. The factories' management negotiated
\nthroughout the day with representatives of the workers and an
\nofficial from the Ministry of Manpower.<\/p>\n
\"We want larger holiday bonuses and the 10 percent tax imposed
\non the bonuses to be canceled,\" an employee, who requested
\nanonymity, said.<\/p>\n
Holiday bonuses are given annually to the employees and
\ntraditionally are equivalent to one months salary.<\/p>\n
As negotiations dragged on throughout the day with no
\nagreement being reached, the situation became tense and the
\nworkers began to pelt the factory with stones.<\/p>\n
Seven vehicles -- three Toyota Kijang vans, a Suzuki Baleno
\nsedan, an Isuzu Panther van and two Daihatsu Espass vans -- were
\nbadly damaged when they were pelted with stones and overturned by
\nthe workers. Several factory windows were also broken in the
\nincident.<\/p>\n
Dozens of police officers were deployed to secure the factory
\nand prevent the fray from spreading.<\/p>\n
The protesters also demanded a fair and democratic election be
\nheld to select a labor union leader.<\/p>\n
\"The current union caretakers are not able to voice our
\naspirations. We also want the company's chief of staff to resign
\nbecause he has failed to carry out his job properly,\" one of the
\nemployees said.<\/p>\n
Workers threatened to continue their protests until their
\ndemand were met.<\/p>\n
As of Wednesday afternoon negotiations were ongoing. \"We hope
\nto announce the results soon,\" said Marbun, an official from the
\nMinistry of Manpower.<\/p>\n
Not far from the PT Astra factory, a group of 700 workers from
\nPT TYM Nusantara staged a protest on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
The protest turned violent at about 9:30 p.m., with workers
\nvandalizing buildings, destroying office equipment and damaging
\ntwo cars -- an Opel Blazer jeep and an Isuzu Panther van. The
\nprotest was called when 43 employees were allegedly laid off
\nwithout being properly compensated.<\/p>\n
\"They demanded fair treatment for their fellow workers and
\nrefused to work until management met their demands,\" a security
\nguard at the factory said.<\/p>\n
The factory's management was unavailable for comment. (41\/edt)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/angry-workers-rampage-over-holiday-bonuses-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }