JP/3/POLLUTE

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)