1,300 workers demand wage hike

JAKARTA (JP): More than 1,300 employees from biscuit and mint manufacturer PT Mayora's Tangerang factory on Wednesday threatened to continue "occupying" the Ministry of Manpower building until their demands for higher wages were met.

Warsono, a representative of the workers, said they would continue their action in the ministry's compound and not return to work unless their demands for a pay increase were met.

"We are determined to stay here until the management offer us an improved deal," he said.

The workers started their action on Monday after the company management fired several workers who rejected the offer of a 15 percent pay increase.

Wardiningsih, another striking employee, said the factory's labor force wanted a 30 percent increase to compensate for recent high inflation.

"We also urge the management to raise the daily meal allowance from Rp 1,000 to Rp 4,000 and to allow female workers to take their monthly menstruation leave entitlement," she said.

The company's personnel manager, Soediro, was not available for comment on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Sutikno, a spokesman for the ministry, said the dispute was still being reviewed by the West Java Provincial Committee for Settlement of Labor Disputes.

"The workers' representatives are still in Bandung discussing the matter with committee officers," he said. (rms)