McDonald's workers leave for Kuwait

JAKARTA (JP): Thirty-nine employees and managers of McDonald's Indonesia left for Kuwait on Saturday to work at McDonald's Kuwait.

McDonald's Indonesia president Bambang N. Rachmadi said the workers had been trained and had worked for two years at his outlets.

"The sending of the workforce overseas shows that Indonesian workers are of the same quality as their counterparts from other countries," Bambang said.

He said the workers would work under a two-year contract with a monthly salary of between US$215 and $250 for staff members, including kitchen staff, and between $485 and $1,000 for managers.

He said besides the salaries the workers would also receive transportation and health allowances and bonuses.

"The staff will get opportunities to become managers in the outlets in Kuwait if they perform well," Bambang.

He said other countries in the Middle East and Europe had also expressed an interest in employing Indonesian workers.

The workers, who will work at 19 outlets in Kuwait, come mostly from Jakarta's outlets.

McDonald's Indonesia currently operates 80 outlets throughout the country, including 52 in Jakarta, Tangerang and Bekasi.

At least 16 of its outlets in Jakarta were shut temporarily and four others closed following the mid-May riots. (jun)