Shoe factory workers stage demonstration<\/p>\n
TANGERANG (JP): At least 10,000 shoe factory workers
\ndemonstrated yesterday, demanding their employers pay them the
\nminimum wage.<\/p>\n
The workers from PT Hardaya Aneka Shoes Industri marched from
\nthe factory on Jl. Gajah Tunggal, in Jatiuwung, to the Tangerang
\nCity Council at about 7 a.m. causing traffic jams.<\/p>\n
Dozens of riot and ordinary police from the Tangerang military
\ndistrict guarded the workers while a police helicopter hovered
\nabove them.<\/p>\n
They were led by police to a field on Jl. Ahmad Yani in front
\nof the City Council and the regency office.<\/p>\n
Several streets were blocked by police.<\/p>\n
Representatives from the factory's workers' union met
\ncouncilors and company executives at City Council while the
\nworkers sat in the field.<\/p>\n
Wartono, the chairman of the workers' union, said the workers
\nwere demanding the company, controlled by businesswoman Siti
\nHartati Murdaya, pay them the minimum monthly wage of Rp 172,500
\n(US$71.66). The wage was set this year by the Ministry of
\nManpower.<\/p>\n
He said the company, which produced Nike and other sports
\nshoes, still paid the 1996 minimum wage of Rp 156,000.<\/p>\n
\"We are paid Rp 172,500 but this includes overtime pay,\" the
\nworker said.<\/p>\n
Another worker demanded the company give them their wage
\nsheets.<\/p>\n
\"We never know the details of our wages,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile Hardaya's human resources manager, A. Alfonso, said
\nthe company had been given permission to delay paying the 1997
\nminimum wage, because of its financial situation.<\/p>\n
The ministry allowed garment and shoe industries with large
\nworkforces to ask for permission to delay paying the new minimum
\nwage if a public audit proved they were incapable of doing so.<\/p>\n
Alfonso said wages had been increased twice last year, and the
\nfirm hoped to increase them again once the financial situation
\nimproved.<\/p>\n
The new minimum full-time wage was announced on Jan. 22.
\nMinister Abdul Latief said the government would increase the
\nminimum wage in all 27 provinces by an average of 10.07 percent
\nfrom April 1. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/shoe-factory-workers-stage-demonstration-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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