1,200 workers strike over pay

TANGERANG, West Java (JP): Workers of two factories which produce carton boxes and cans went on strike here yesterday to demand a 30-day month pay packet, transportation allowances and a higher meal allowance.

The 1,200 workers blocked Jl. Gatot Subroto KM 5, Tangerang, where the factories are located and paralyzed local traffic almost the whole day.

The protesters are workers of PT Multi Box Indah and PT Multi Makmur Indah, which belong to the same group.

Waving banners and posters protesting what they called arbitrary treatment by both managements, the workers also demanded that two executives of the factories step down. The two oppressed workers, the demonstrators said.

"We have received a 25-day salary a month since the new minimum wage regulation was applied two months ago. We want our rights for 30-day salary a month," said Rudi, a protester representative.

The workers said the factories have never given them transport allowances and have provided a daily meal allowance of only Rp 650 per person. "The minimum standard for daily meal allowance is Rp 1,000," another protester said.

Nasrul Nasution, an official of the companies said there was misunderstanding between the workers and the management. "They demand transport allowance, higher meal and housing allowances which are all beyond the companies' ability to fulfill," Nasution said. (18/sur)