Ceramic firm's workers demand wage increase

JAKARTA (JP): More than 300 workers of a ceramic company in Tangerang regency visited the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute yesterday, seeking legal advice on their demand for a wage increase commensurate with government stipulated levels.

Workers of PT Industri Keramik Angsa Daya (Ikad), a subsidiary of Kedawung Group, demanded the company increase their wages by at least 40 percent.

The group's spokesman, Erik Rubianto, said their monthly basic salary of Rp 149,000 (US$10.6) was far below the regional minimum wage set by the government of Rp 172,500.

"The wages paid by the company seem as if they are above the minimum wage because they include transportation and other fees," Erik said.

He said the transportation fee was set at Rp 25,500 a month, while the premium or attendance fee was at Rp 30,000.

The workers met with Surya Chandra and Rita Olivia, two of the institute's lawyers.

To protest what they called an unfavorable decision, about 2,700 workers of the company held a demonstration in their factory's compound in Pasar Kemis district, Tangerang regency, Wednesday.

Male workers also protested over the company's plan to cut the workers' wages by Rp 50,000 if they were found smoking at the factory.

"Such a regulation is not fair, because our group chiefs, supervisors and managers are free to smoke in the factory as they like," workers said.

Meanwhile, chief commissioner of PT Ikad Tony Sukoharjo said Wednesday that the company could not fulfill the workers' demand due to the economic crisis.

The company's production has decreased from 60,000 pieces per day to only between 10,000 pieces and 15,000 pieces, Tony said.

He said the company would only increase the salary after the government's decision on the new minimum wage level was issued, possibly next month. (41/jun)