Hospital workers stage protest

JAKARTA (JP): At least 200 employees of Sumber Waras Hospital staged a rally inside the hospital complex on Jl. Kyai Tapa in West Jakarta yesterday, demanding the resignation of the chairman of Sumber Waras Health Foundation, Padmo Sumasto.

Arend Karel Ponggawa, a director of the hospital who led the protest, said Padmo had not been open about financial matters during his 30-year chairmanship of the foundation.

"He is no longer popular among the employees for many reasons, especially the indiscriminate actions he frequently takes," Arend told The Jakarta Post.

During the rally, the employees claimed they had established a committee, called Sumber Waras Salvage Committee, in charge of temporarily taking over the hospital's operational activities until their demand was met.

Yesterday's rally was the second in two weeks.

Arend, however, said it was up to the donors of the foundation to choose a new chairman to replace Padmo.

He said the rally did not interrupt the hospital's medical services.

Mudjiem, one protester, said she had finished her shift in the morning before joining the rally.

She expressed concern over the low salaries decided on by the foundation over the years.

"New employees in other hospitals earn about Rp 500,000 per month, but here they get only Rp 170,000," said Mudjiem. (ivy)