Mayora protesters driven away

Mayora protesters driven away

JAKARTA (JP): After a six-day-long demonstration in front of
cookie producer PT Mayora's head office on Jl. Raya Tomang, West
Jakarta, hundreds of laid-off workers were removed by police on
Wednesday without resistance.

Dozens of members of City Forum (Forkot), a student group
which demonstrated in support of the workers, also were arrested
and taken away in at least five police trucks. They were
transported to city police headquarters at about 2:30 p.m.

West Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col. Timur Pradopo said the
police asked the workers to leave the head office's compound on
several occasions after workers launched a sit-in protest on June
3.

"The office building is a public place, which also is used by
many companies besides Mayora. We have received complaints from
executives who could not use their offices," said Timur. He
deployed at least 300 officers to the site.

Mayora's executives could not be reached for comment on
Wednesday.

It was reported earlier that the workers -- who were laid off
after a dispute with management over entitlements -- demanded
Mayora provide severance pay amounting to two times the monthly
wage, as required by manpower regulations. The company reportedly
insisted on paying only one month's wage to each laid-off worker.

Workers visited the Ministry of Manpower on Jl. Gatot Subroto,
South Jakarta on June 1 and held a protest on the street which
caused heavy traffic jams. (jun)