JP\/3\/POLLUTE<\/p>\n
Workers protest while their boss faces trial<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): More than 200 employees of the PT Menara Djaja
\nbike factory staged a strike yesterday to demand more benefits
\nwhile their employer was being tried at the East Jakarta district
\ncourt on water pollution charges.<\/p>\n
Sixteen protesters also visited the City Council, urging the
\ncouncil to demand the management give them transport and meal
\nallowances on top of their daily minimum wage of Rp 3,800
\n(approximately US$1.7).<\/p>\n
The protesters' spokesman, Mochamad Sidik, said they have been
\nstriking peacefully since Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\"We asked for Rp 750 in meal allowances and for an appropriate
\ntransportation fee,\" Sidik added.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Mulyadi Salim, the owner and manager of the bike
\nmanufacturer, located in the Ciracas area on Jl. Raya Bogor in
\nEast Jakarta, is on trial for allegedly polluting the water of
\nthe factory's surrounding area for the last two decades.<\/p>\n
Officials of the city administration testified earlier that
\nthey have repeatedly warned the company to develop water
\ntreatment facilities following protests from residents in the
\nneighborhood.<\/p>\n
An expert witness said the water has a high content of chrome
\nand zinc, making it dangerous for consumption and irritating to
\nthe skin.<\/p>\n
Residents around the bike factory have complained about the
\ndeteriorating quality of their water supply numerous times since
\nthe bike company began operation in the 1970s.<\/p>\n
Regarding the strike, councilor Salam Sumangat told the
\nvisiting delegation yesterday that the Council is going to summon
\nthe management of the bike company regarding the strike.<\/p>\n
\"Asking for a meal allowance is no big deal,\" Salam said,
\nconfirming that the management could easily meet the demands.<\/p>\n
\"Producing bikes is good business, especially when we can
\nexport them,\" said the senior politician, who is also a leader of
\nthe All-Indonesia Workers Union (SPSI).<\/p>\n
He added that, as the chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the
\nstate-sponsored union, he will negotiate with the Ministry of
\nManpower for the sake of the workers.<\/p>\n
\"Don't worry. I'll help you,\" the workers' activist said,
\nurging the protesters to stop the strike and go back to the
\nproduction line.<\/p>\n
Contrary to the politician's statement, an executive of the
\ncompany told The Jakarta Post during a telephone interview that
\nincreasing benefits will not be easy.<\/p>\n
Sri Kis said that on April 16, the Ministry of Manpower, the
\nunion and the management made a deal about the general increase.<\/p>\n
\"Don't talk about minimum wages, we've gone beyond the line,\"
\nSri stressed, adding that the chairman of the East Jakarta
\nchapter of SPSI is angry at the protesters for demanding too
\nmuch. The minimum wage in Jakarta is Rp 3,800 per day.<\/p>\n
She said different rates have been allocated to the workers
\naccording to their respective lengths of service.<\/p>\n
\"What's the use of SPSI if they don't want to follow the
\nunion's command?\" she said, referring to the dissenting
\nprotesters.<\/p>\n
Sidik said he doubts the state-sponsored union and the
\nministry can helped solve the labor dispute, adding that the
\nprotesters are afraid of being fired for launching the protest.<\/p>\n
Salam told the protesters that their fear of loosing their
\njobs over the strike is baseless, and suggested the laborers come
\nto the council again in the first week of May. (09)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp3pollute-1447899208",
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