6,000 go on strike in Tangerang

TANGERANG (JP): More than 6,000 shoemakers at a Cibadak factory, in the Cikupa district, here went on strike yesterday to protest their employer's flippant approach to firing staff.

The strikers, who began a sit-in at the factory's compound about 8 a.m., also demanded that the management fire the factory's personnel manager, Bambang Sardoko.

When Bambang attempted to watch the strike, he was chased and beaten by some of the angry employees.

He was finally rescued by dozens of military and police personnel, who had been dispatched to the site to secure the protest.

The factory, which produces Eagle-brand shoes, belongs to PT Garuda Indawa, PT Kostra Mas Jaya and PT Bima Dongin Sport.

Yanti, a female worker, said the factory's management often fired employees without giving them adequate compensation.

Officials from the local manpower office later arrived at the site and asked the strikers to select group representatives so the matter could be discussed with the factory's executives.

But the workers refused to name representatives as they wanted all the striking workers to attend the discussion.

"We fear that our representatives will be fired," a worker said.

A manager of the factory, Kim Gwang Do, admitted that the company had fired about 2,000 workers so far. But he refused to comment further. (41/jun)