500 workers go on strike

500 workers go on strike

SEMARANG, Central Java: Over 500 workers of a furniture
factory went on strike yesterday, demanding that their daily wage
be raised from Rp 1,500 ($0.68) to Rp 3,000.

The workers began their sit-in at 8. a.m. They vowed to
continue the strike until the company meets their demand.

The government has set the minimum daily wage for workers in
Central Java at Rp 3,000 as of this month.

"There is no excuse for the company not to raise our daily
wage from Rp 1,500 to Rp 3,000 as the government ruling
requires," said spokesman for the workers, Juritno.

Juritno said the workers also demanded that the company allow
menstrual and maternity leave for female workers. "The management
usually requires those who ask for leave to quit," he said. (har)