Retirees demand higher pensions

BANDUNG: Some 500 retired workers from train company PT Kereta Api Indonesia's Java and Sumatra operations demonstrated at the company's headquarters in Bandung on Monday, demanding higher pensions.

The demonstrators, who wanted pensions on the same level as those of retired civil servants, set on fire two PT Kereta Api uniforms in protest.

The head of the Retired Train Company Workers Communication Forum, Helmy Azis, said the workers' pensions were low and did not take into account the years they spent at the company.

Marsino, 59, who became a company employee in 1966, received only Rp 800,000 a month after working for PT Kereta Api for 29 years, Helmy said.

Company spokesman Noor Hamidi declined to comment about the protesters' demands. -- JP