Ceramic workers stage protest

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)