L'Oreal workers back to work

JAKARTA (JP): Beauty consultants and sales clerks at L'Oreal cosmetic company went back to work on Friday, after staging a four-day protest at the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration.

The ministry has promised to look into allegations that the company breached labor laws, while the workers have agreed to return to work pending the outcome of the investigation.

"My friends and I are working today as we had agreed with the company on Wednesday, and we'll continue to work while we wait for the investigation's results," Ade Oriza, a beauty consultant at the company, told The Jakarta Post.

The workers launched their protest on Saturday, demanding job security and a better salary.

"I've been with the company for seven years and I am still under a contract instead of being a permanent employee," said Ade.

She added that newcomers to the company received the same wage as her, which was Rp 426,250 per month (US$38.70).

L'Oreal was not available for comment when contacted by the Post.(06)