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)