Civilian guards demand compensation

Civilian guards demand compensation

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Hundreds of former East Timor civilian guards staged a protest for a second consecutive day on Tuesday in front of the East Nusa Tenggara gubernatorial office, demanding the government pay them compensation.

Unfurling banners and posters, the protesters demanded the government honor its promise to pay compensation of Rp 5 million each to 280 civilian guards, after the independence of East Timor in May, 2002.

Manuel Gueterres, a former civilian guard, said the government had also promised to provide jobs for the civilian guards upon completing their tasks during the East Timor transition period, but the promise was not honored.

The group coordinator, Xavier da Silva Pasiku, established that the group would continue protesting until their demand was met.

In response, the local authority said it was up to the central government to resolve the problem.

"The group's demand has been conveyed to the central government," Djidon de Haan told The Jakarta Post. -- JP