Adidas workers rally at council

TANGERANG (JP): No less than 6,000 workers of PT Prima Inreksa Industri, a supplier for shoemaker Adidas, staged another rally at the legislative council here on Friday, after a settlement of their earlier dispute over pay increases failed to materialize.

Taking buses, the workers gathered at the council at around 9 a.m. and gave speeches, while waiting for the resumption of the city council-mediated negotiation with the management.

The negotiation began at 4 p.m., two hours late.

Some of the workers squatted in the council yard, while others were seen gathering in front of the regent's official residence and some shop-houses nearby.

The workers renewed their earlier demands for implementation of the new minimum monthly salary of Rp 426,250 (US$44.80), reduce special salary tax for workers, increase maternal leave allowance, provide transportation and meal allowances and improve basic salaries for employees with over three years of service.

They specifically urged the management to fire human resources development manager Tunggul Sihombing, whom they accused of imposing too many regulations on the workers. (41)