Workers protest imported sugar<\/p>\n
Ainur R. Sophia'an and Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya\/Cirebon<\/p>\n
Thousands of sugar farmers and peasants employed by sugar
\nplantations in West and East Java went on strike Thursday to
\nprotest sugar imports that have affected the sugar industry at
\nhome.<\/p>\n
Traffic jams clogged several main streets in Surabaya when
\nmore than 3,000 demonstrators employed by state-owned sugar
\nplantations in East Java marched on the provincial legislative
\nbuilding and the governor's office in the city.<\/p>\n
While carrying banners condemning President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri's leadership, the demonstrators called on the
\nPresident to step down because she failed to provide protection
\nfor millions of people earning their living from the sugar
\nindustry.<\/p>\n
\"We are disappointed with the absence of government measures
\nto halt sugar imports that have damaged sugar farmers, 32 sugar
\nfactories in the province and millions of people employed in
\nsugar plantations and factories across the country,\" Marsidik
\nSamaoen, chairman of the Forum of Solidarity for Sugar Farmers,
\nsaid in a speech in front of the governor's office.<\/p>\n
He said the presence of low-priced sugar in the local market
\nhas caused many factories to hoard their products and forced the
\nlayoff of hundreds of workers.<\/p>\n
The imported sugar was allegedly from Thailand, India,
\nPakistan, China and Brazil.<\/p>\n
The imported sugar was sold between Rp 200 and Rp 500 cheaper
\nthan the local product. The local sugar is sold between Rp 3,200
\nand Rp 3,600 per kilogram.<\/p>\n
East Java Governor Imam Utomo said that he would discuss the
\nimported sugar issue with his sugar team in order to take the
\nnecessary measures to protect the sugar industry in the province.<\/p>\n
\"Sugar imports have been banned and I will ask the police to
\ncrack down on local markets and seize imported sugar. We have
\nallowed only food and beverage factories to import raw sugar
\nmaterials,\" he said when asked to respond to the demonstrators'
\ndemands.<\/p>\n
East Java has produced around 885 tons of sugar annually and
\n396,000 tons of it was supplied to the local market in the
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
In Cirebon, demonstrators called on the Cirebon regency
\nlegislature to channel their aspirations to the central
\ngovernment, demanding that the government stop the sugar imports
\nand establish a joint team to crack down on imported sugar in
\nlocal market.<\/p>\n
Anwar Kasmali, chairman of the local chapter of the Indonesian
\nSugar Producers (APTRI), said the government could protect the
\nlocal products by imposing higher excise taxes for imported sugar
\nand allowing only sugar factories to import raw sugar materials.<\/p>\n
Suryana, chairman of the regency legislature, vowed to bring
\nthe demonstrators' aspirations to the President after the
\nlatter's arrival from her foreign trip.<\/p>\n
\"The government must respond positively to the sugar
\ncommunity's aspirations,\" he said in a meeting with the
\ndemonstrators.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/workers-protest-imported-sugar-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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