Factory workers run amok

PURWAKARTA, West Java: A protest by 8,000 factory workers in the Jatiluhur area on Friday turned violent and led to the burning of 36 company cars and the stoning of buildings, Antara reported.

The news agency said the employees of textile company PT Indorama became aggressive after the management refused to meet in full their demand for a pay rise after a day-long protest.

The workers from the textile company asked for a Rp 150,000 raise in their monthly salary, while the management only agreed to a Rp 25,000 raise.

"Indorama is a big company, but our salary is only Rp 5,500 per day, which can only buy us one and a half liters of rice," one demonstrator was quoted by the news agency as saying.

Dozens of security forces present both outside and inside the factory compound were unable to contain the crowd which also damaged the managers' offices and accommodation.

No arrests were reported.

The news agency reported that thousands of factory workers were still gathering and shouting for the pay rise late into the evening. (byg)