Hospital workers stage protest

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)