Factory workers on strike

TANGERANG (JP): At least 330 workers of a garment factory, PT Inspiran Aditama in the Jatake industrial estate, went on strike yesterday demanding higher wages and social insurance.

The strike began at 7 a.m. when the workers, mostly women, amassed in front of the factory gates. Some workers refused to strike.

The strikers demanded the factory's management increase their daily minimum wage from Rp 5,200 (US$52 cents) to Rp 5,750 as government regulation requires.

They urged the management of the factory, which began operation last November, to register them with the state social security company and to pay them for overtime.

The workers claim their income has dwindled because the factory now pays them for piecework.

"When we manage to achieve the target, we are entitled to Rp 5,800 a day. If not, we earn much less," a striking worker said.

The Tangerang manpower office sent two of its officials, M. Marbun and Ellis J. and Eddy Djunaedi from the Federation of All-Indonesia Workers Union to mediate in the labor dispute.

They met with factory manager Sumirat. Results of the negotiation have yet to be made public. (41/jun)