'Jamu' workers up in arms

'Jamu' workers up in arms

CILACAP, Central Java: Tension prevailed on Tuesday along the
five-kilometer-long road leading to Sampang district when groups
of angry workers brandishing sharp weapons set up roadblocks in a
bid to protect their factories from government closure.

Sampang, a district located 20 kilometers north of Cilacap,
houses two factories making jamu, a traditional tonic of
medicinal herbs, located in Gentasari and Sikampuh villages.

The workers were enraged because 80 of them were told to stop
production after health officials discovered the also contained
red-label medicines, which can only be obtained with doctor's
prescription.

The workers blockaded the road to prevent health officials and
police from entering. They also searched passersby.

"This is outrageous. We'll handle the matter soon," Cilacap
Police chief Lt. Col. Andi Lolo said Tuesday. (45/edt)