Hundreds of workers go on strike

BOGOR (JP): Hundreds of workers of photo album manufacturing company PT Upati in Bogor went on strike yesterday, demanding meals and transportation allowances.

The workers also asked the company not to cut their salaries for income tax payments since their salaries have already been cut for worker union fees and worker insurance premiums.

The strikers marched in the morning from the company office on Jl. Raya Bogor-Jakarta to the manpower ministry's Bogor office, causing a heavy traffic jam along the street.

"We have to go on the street because we have demonstrated twice but the company never gave enough attention to our demands," a female employee, who asked for anonymity, said.

She said that the employees, who have worked an average of six years, were paid only Rp 92,000 (US$27) every two weeks. However, take-home pay was less due to deductions of Rp 500 for worker union fees and Rp 3,600 for worker insurance premiums.

She said the workers demanded Rp 1,500 and Rp 1,000, respectively, for daily meals and transportation allowances. (24/jun)