1,500 workers go on strike

TANGERANG (JP): About 1,500 workers of PT Starnesia Garment on the Jatiuwung industrial estate went on strike yesterday, protesting deductions from their salaries and demanding the establishment of a labor union branch and a pay rise.

The protesters unfurled banners questioning the legal basis for the deduction between Rp 11,000 (US$1.35) and Rp 30,000 from their monthly salaries.

They also demanded that the company's management raise their wages by 50 percent and stick to the official working hours, saying they were often made to work five hours a day longer than the official working shift without being given overtime pay.

Employee Haryati said she objected to a Rp 30,000 deduction from her monthly wage of Rp 350,000 because her income was below the tax threshold.

Company president D.J. Chung said in a meeting with workers' representatives that he had planned to raise their wages this month.

He asked the workers to give their demands in a written statement for the management to consider.

"You should have filed your petition with the management instead of going on strike," he said. (41)