3,000 workers stage rally

SEMARANG, East Java: Some 3,000 workers at PT Rodeo Semarang's garment factory staged a demonstration at the provincial legislative council on Thursday, demanding higher wages and better allowances.

Hari Hutomo, the demonstrators' coordinator, said the company's workers are paid below the monthly minimum wage of Rp 153,000.

"We also demand the management provide a meal allowance of Rp 1,500 per day and a transportation allowance of Rp 1,000," he said.

Hari added that the workers were also calling for an additional allowance of Rp 500 per day during the economic crisis, and that all workers should be insured in the social security program (Jamsostek).

Kadir Karding, a member of the legislative council's commission on social welfare, vowed to negotiate with the management on workers' wages in the factory. (har/rms)