Workers demand salary increase<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Some 700 workers from four different companies
\nprotested in the House of Representatives (DPR) compound on
\nWednesday, demanding their employers raise their salaries by up
\nto 150 percent.<\/p>\n
The protesters were grouped under the National Front for
\nIndonesian Workers Struggle (FNPBI) and the Workers Committee for
\nReform Action (Kobar).<\/p>\n
The workers were from garment factory PT Kharisma, textile
\ncompany PT Roda Vivatex, marble producer PT Intinusa and glue
\nfactory PT Polychemie.<\/p>\n
PT Kharisma is located in Cakung, East Jakarta; PT Roda
\nVivatex and PT Intinusa in Citereup, Bogor; and PT Polychemie in
\nCikarang.<\/p>\n
The workers aired their demands in the Nusantara III building
\nin the DPR compound.<\/p>\n
Besides protesting for a salary increase, the workers also
\ndemanded that their transportation allowances be raised from Rp
\n7,500 (90 U.S. cents) to Rp 12,500.<\/p>\n
\"We are no longer able to cover our daily expenses since the
\nprices of basic needs have soared after the economic crisis,\"
\nSiswanto, a worker at PT Intinusa, said.<\/p>\n
Some workers gave speeches through megaphones, criticizing the
\ngovernment for its failure to improve workers' welfare.<\/p>\n
\"President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri remain unable to improve workers' welfare, even
\nthough both have been in power for six months already.<\/p>\n
\"The workers should no longer depend on the government in
\nfighting for their interests, but on their own strength. We
\nshould try to seek our own way to meet our interests,\" one
\nprotester said.<\/p>\n
The noisy protesters unfurled banners and posters saying:
\n\"Stop intimidation of workers\", \"Kobar\" and FNPBI.\"<\/p>\n
Only a few police personnel kept an eye on the protest.<\/p>\n
Up until 1 p.m, the workers were still in the DPR compound,
\nwhile waiting for their representatives who met with legislators
\nfrom the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction and the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction.<\/p>\n
The protest followed a large rally held in the building's
\ncompound on May 1 to commemorate International Labor Day. (asa)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/workers-demand-salary-increase-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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