'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)