Polyester workers continue protest

TANGERANG (JP): Thousands of workers from polyester manufacturing company PT Yasulintex marched to the Tangerang legislative council on Wednesday after failing to force the company's management to meet their demands forwarded during a two-day strike.

Following a meeting on Tuesday with the firm's management, officials from the local manpower ministry office and representatives of the local branch of the All Indonesian Workers' Union (SPSI), the workers' leaders claimed that they had been intimidated and cheated.

The meeting was described as tough and exhausting.

The workers' representatives apparently signed a letter of agreement near the end of the exhausting session.

"We're not satisfied with the results of yesterday's meeting because our representatives were pressured and intimidated," one of the workers told the councilors.

Details of the agreement, however, were not available.

Fifteen of the workers' representatives were received by members of the Armed Forces and Golkar factions. The workers demanded a 15 percent increase in wages and several other benefit improvements.

"We'll summon the company's directors to get their explanation of the dispute," Munir of the Golkar faction said.

Separately, the company's director, Bing Riyanto, declined to comment on the prolonged disagreement.

During their protest, the workers demanded their monthly transport allowance be increased from Rp 22,000 to Rp 22,500 and their monthly meal allowances be raised from Rp 18,000 to Rp 22,500.

They also demanded the company pay serious attention to the workers' welfare.

One of the workers said the company had only reimbursed him Rp 18,000 for past medical treatment, even though the visit cost more than Rp 35,000. (41/emf)