Mayora workers continue strike

TANGERANG (JP): At least 1,500 striking workers of food producer PT Mayora Indah visited the Tangerang office of the Ministry of Manpower here on Wednesday, asking for help in their struggle for a wage increase.

The workers, who have been on strike for more than five days, demanded that the company increase their wages by 30 percent from the current level.

The protesters, mostly female workers, also expressed objections to a measure imposed by the company obliging workers to get approval from the company's medical clinic if they wanted to take menstruation leave.

Their objection was based on the fact that they would be required to show their genitals in the clinic, as well as pay between Rp 500 and Rp 1,500 to the clinic.

They also asked the company to improve welfare by raising the meal allowance to Rp 4,000 a day and shift allowance to Rp 1,500 a day.

One of the protesters, Suru, 60, said she wanted the company to dismiss her.

"I have worked for 20 years. I'm not satisfied with the current situation," Suru said.

Meanwhile, the company's lawyer, Sukartono, refused to comment on the strike on Wednesday. (41/jun)