Ceramic workers stage protest

TANGERANG (JP): Thousands of Masterina ceramic factory workers staged a second day of demonstrations in Kemis market here on Wednesday in protest over the company management's failure to increase their wages by 15 percent.

The head of the Tangerang branch of the All-Indonesia Workers Union (SPSI) Hermanto Achmad said the protest was the result of workers' dissatisfaction after the management broke a promise to increase their wages in May.

"I hope the disputing parties will reach an agreement," he said.

"Actually the management promised to raise wages as part of an agreement reached in the presence of officials from the Ministry of Manpower and the SPSI," he said, adding that the promise had yet to be fulfilled.

The workers said they felt forced into staging the demonstration after being deceived by the management.

"We hope through this protest that the management will remember its promise," one of the workers, who asked not to be named, said.

Windows in the factory were damaged during the demonstration, but police have yet to question anyone in connection with the incident.

"We will investigate the matter," said First Lt. Joko Susilo, who is the chief of Kemis market police subprecinct.

The head of the factory's manpower division, Sudiro, said he deplored the incident, adding that the vandalism had caused losses running into millions of rupiah.

"They should not have broken the windows," he said. (ind/41)