Medan workers protest

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Hundreds of workers at a thong factory stepped up their protest over the dismissal of two of their colleagues by storming the residence of the company director on Friday.

The workers of PT Garuda Mas Perkasa, producer of Swallow rubber sandals, armed with posters denouncing management policy, demanded that their employer reinstate Budi Santoso and M. Nur, chairman and member of the Prosperity Trade Union (SBSI) at the factory.

The two were fired for unclear reasons.

Some protesters were eventually allowed to talk with company director Alexander Effendy, who they were initially told was out of town. However, Alexander rejected the workers' demand, and said the only labor union the company acknowledged was the government-sponsored All-Indonesia Workers Union Federation (FSPSI).

Friday's action was a follow up of previous demonstrations on June 5 and June 8.

On June 15, the workers marched to the North Sumatra provincial legislative council to request councilors help them by instructing the company to reinstate their fired friends. The effort proved fruitless.

The workers first staged a strike over a month ago. (39/sur)