Roadsweepers protest

MALANG, East Java: About 2,400 roadsweepers demonstrated here yesterday demanding the mayor keep a promise he made to double their pay if the city won a cleanliness award.

Groups of workers went to city hall but were unable to talk to Mayor Soesamto because he was in Surabaya, Antara reported.

Two sweepers, Suwarso and Fatmawati, told officials that Soesamto had promised to double their pay if the city won an Adipura Kencana award in early June.

The sweepers earn Rp 50,000 (US$20) a month.

The workers also demanded the administration revoke a rule that means they lose Rp 1,500 for every day they are absent from work.

Soesamto said later that he had forgotten all about his promise.

"I apologize. I will see to it soon and keep my word," he said. (swe)