Polyester workers continue protest

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)