Labor activist gets 15 months

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The district court here sentenced labor activist Amosi Telaumbanua to 15 months in jail yesterday for inciting workers to strike in April.

Amosi, 34 year-old chairman of the Medan chapter of the independent Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI), was "convicted of inciting workers to go on strike," judge Bahauddin Qaudri said when reading the verdict. SBSI's top leader Mochtar Pakpahan was also being tried on similar charges.

Last week, the prosecutor demanded that Amosi be sentenced to 18 months in jail, Antara reported.

The judge said that Amosi distributed leaflets encouraging workers in Medan to go on strike to demand that their daily wages be increased from Rp 3,100 (US$1.5).

The April demonstrations turned into violence as workers attacked factories and set vehicles ablaze. One businessman was killed in the incidents. (pan)