Shoe factory workers stage demonstration

Shoe factory workers stage demonstration

TANGERANG (JP): At least 10,000 shoe factory workers
demonstrated yesterday, demanding their employers pay them the
minimum wage.

The workers from PT Hardaya Aneka Shoes Industri marched from
the factory on Jl. Gajah Tunggal, in Jatiuwung, to the Tangerang
City Council at about 7 a.m. causing traffic jams.

Dozens of riot and ordinary police from the Tangerang military
district guarded the workers while a police helicopter hovered
above them.

They were led by police to a field on Jl. Ahmad Yani in front
of the City Council and the regency office.

Several streets were blocked by police.

Representatives from the factory's workers' union met
councilors and company executives at City Council while the
workers sat in the field.

Wartono, the chairman of the workers' union, said the workers
were demanding the company, controlled by businesswoman Siti
Hartati Murdaya, pay them the minimum monthly wage of Rp 172,500
(US$71.66). The wage was set this year by the Ministry of
Manpower.

He said the company, which produced Nike and other sports
shoes, still paid the 1996 minimum wage of Rp 156,000.

"We are paid Rp 172,500 but this includes overtime pay," the
worker said.

Another worker demanded the company give them their wage
sheets.

"We never know the details of our wages," he said.

Meanwhile Hardaya's human resources manager, A. Alfonso, said
the company had been given permission to delay paying the 1997
minimum wage, because of its financial situation.

The ministry allowed garment and shoe industries with large
workforces to ask for permission to delay paying the new minimum
wage if a public audit proved they were incapable of doing so.

Alfonso said wages had been increased twice last year, and the
firm hoped to increase them again once the financial situation
improved.

The new minimum full-time wage was announced on Jan. 22.
Minister Abdul Latief said the government would increase the
minimum wage in all 27 provinces by an average of 10.07 percent
from April 1. (jun)