Ceramic firm's workers demand wage increase<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): More than 300 workers of a ceramic company in
\nTangerang regency visited the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute
\nyesterday, seeking legal advice on their demand for a wage
\nincrease commensurate with government stipulated levels.<\/p>\n
Workers of PT Industri Keramik Angsa Daya (Ikad), a subsidiary
\nof Kedawung Group, demanded the company increase their wages by
\nat least 40 percent.<\/p>\n
The group's spokesman, Erik Rubianto, said their monthly basic
\nsalary of Rp 149,000 (US$10.6) was far below the regional minimum
\nwage set by the government of Rp 172,500.<\/p>\n
\"The wages paid by the company seem as if they are above the
\nminimum wage because they include transportation and other fees,\"
\nErik said.<\/p>\n
He said the transportation fee was set at Rp 25,500 a month,
\nwhile the premium or attendance fee was at Rp 30,000.<\/p>\n
The workers met with Surya Chandra and Rita Olivia, two of the
\ninstitute's lawyers.<\/p>\n
To protest what they called an unfavorable decision, about
\n2,700 workers of the company held a demonstration in their
\nfactory's compound in Pasar Kemis district, Tangerang regency,
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
Male workers also protested over the company's plan to cut the
\nworkers' wages by Rp 50,000 if they were found smoking at the
\nfactory.<\/p>\n
\"Such a regulation is not fair, because our group chiefs,
\nsupervisors and managers are free to smoke in the factory as they
\nlike,\" workers said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, chief commissioner of PT Ikad Tony Sukoharjo said
\nWednesday that the company could not fulfill the workers' demand
\ndue to the economic crisis.<\/p>\n
The company's production has decreased from 60,000 pieces per
\nday to only between 10,000 pieces and 15,000 pieces, Tony said.<\/p>\n
He said the company would only increase the salary after the
\ngovernment's decision on the new minimum wage level was issued,
\npossibly next month. (41\/jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ceramic-firms-workers-demand-wage-increase-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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