Hotel employees go on strike

JAKARTA (JP): Some 150 employees of Hotel John Pardede International in Central Jakarta went on strike yesterday to demand minimum wages.

Ade, a spokesman, said the employees of the hotel on Jl. Raden Saleh receive an average of Rp 110,000 (US$47.30) a month.

The employees demanded Rp 5,200 a day as regulated by the government, or Rp 156,000 a month.

He said the employees also demanded the company permit the establishment of a worker's union under the Federation of the All Indonesia Workers Union.

The strike started at 7 a.m. and lasted three hours at the three-star-rated hotel.

Meanwhile Djabinson Sinaga, the hotel's general manager, said the company met with the employees. He said the company has paid them according to the regulation since last month.

"About the workers' union, we will set one up soon," he said. (jun)