Hotel workers strike in Bali

TANJUNG BENOA, Bali: Hundreds of hotel workers from Club Bali Mirage, Grand Mirage Resort and Thalasso Spa staged a strike Sunday morning, demanding higher transportation allowances and a health allowance.

The employees said they wanted transportation allowance to be increased to Rp 60,000 (US$7.89) per month from the previous Rp 45,000.

The management said it had recently raised the transportation allowance to Rp 50,000 from the previous Rp 40,000 per month and the health allowance from Rp 125,000 to Rp 250,000.

"We want the company to pay all health expenses and appoint one hospital to handle workers' treatment," Nyoman Suryadi, head of the Federation of All Indonesian Workers Union in Mirage said.

Members of management were forced to serve about 1,000 guests in the Grand Mirage and Club Bali Mirage.

"Even my wife helped me with the dishes," Ralf Luthe, general manager of Grand Mirage said, adding the issue was being resolved. (50/edt)