Residents rally for employment

Residents rally for employment

JAKARTA (JP): More than 3,000 residents from the area
surrounding the Cibitung industrial complex, some 35 kilometers
east of Jakarta, staged a rally on Wednesday to demand more
employment opportunities in the complex's factories.

The rally blocked traffic around the industrial area for more
than three hours.

Jakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said the crowd
dispersed after an agreement was reached at 3 p.m.

"Representatives from 21 companies agreed to employ 73 local
residents, as demanded," he said.

"Companies in the Cibitung industrial complex pledged to
employ local residents, but they didn't keep their promise. There
are only a few of us working there," a resident was quoted by
satunet.com. as saying.

The industrial complex is home to more than 100 factories,
involved in the manufacture of car accessories, cardboard,
electronic goods and pipes, among other items.

Residents from five villages near the industrial complex
began their rally at 5 a.m. to express their dissatisfaction with
the factories.

The protesters blocked the Cibitung toll gate, the Maspion
factory and the MM 2100 industrial area. They also placed
barricades, barrels and burning tires in the street, in an effort
to prevent workers from reaching the factories. (05/ylt)