JP/3/POLLUTE
Workers protest while their boss faces trial
JAKARTA (JP): More than 200 employees of the PT Menara Djaja bike factory staged a strike yesterday to demand more benefits while their employer was being tried at the East Jakarta district court on water pollution charges.
Sixteen protesters also visited the City Council, urging the council to demand the management give them transport and meal allowances on top of their daily minimum wage of Rp 3,800 (approximately US$1.7).
The protesters' spokesman, Mochamad Sidik, said they have been striking peacefully since Tuesday.
"We asked for Rp 750 in meal allowances and for an appropriate transportation fee," Sidik added.
Meanwhile, Mulyadi Salim, the owner and manager of the bike manufacturer, located in the Ciracas area on Jl. Raya Bogor in East Jakarta, is on trial for allegedly polluting the water of the factory's surrounding area for the last two decades.
Officials of the city administration testified earlier that they have repeatedly warned the company to develop water treatment facilities following protests from residents in the neighborhood.
An expert witness said the water has a high content of chrome and zinc, making it dangerous for consumption and irritating to the skin.
Residents around the bike factory have complained about the deteriorating quality of their water supply numerous times since the bike company began operation in the 1970s.
Regarding the strike, councilor Salam Sumangat told the visiting delegation yesterday that the Council is going to summon the management of the bike company regarding the strike.
"Asking for a meal allowance is no big deal," Salam said, confirming that the management could easily meet the demands.
"Producing bikes is good business, especially when we can export them," said the senior politician, who is also a leader of the All-Indonesia Workers Union (SPSI).
He added that, as the chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the state-sponsored union, he will negotiate with the Ministry of Manpower for the sake of the workers.
"Don't worry. I'll help you," the workers' activist said, urging the protesters to stop the strike and go back to the production line.
Contrary to the politician's statement, an executive of the company told The Jakarta Post during a telephone interview that increasing benefits will not be easy.
Sri Kis said that on April 16, the Ministry of Manpower, the union and the management made a deal about the general increase.
"Don't talk about minimum wages, we've gone beyond the line," Sri stressed, adding that the chairman of the East Jakarta chapter of SPSI is angry at the protesters for demanding too much. The minimum wage in Jakarta is Rp 3,800 per day.
She said different rates have been allocated to the workers according to their respective lengths of service.
"What's the use of SPSI if they don't want to follow the union's command?" she said, referring to the dissenting protesters.
Sidik said he doubts the state-sponsored union and the ministry can helped solve the labor dispute, adding that the protesters are afraid of being fired for launching the protest.
Salam told the protesters that their fear of loosing their jobs over the strike is baseless, and suggested the laborers come to the council again in the first week of May. (09)