Shoe firm donates food

TANGERANG (JP): Sports shoemaker PT Dong Joe Indonesia presented a Rp 300 million (US$40,000) food donation to local villagers and its workers on Wednesday in conjunction with the commemoration of its 10th anniversary.

The South Korean-Indonesian joint venture's donation to the villagers consisted of 80 metric tons of rice. For workers, 5,700 packages containing 5 kilograms of rice and one liter of cooking oil were distributed.

Company president Cheon Seong Ho said the donation was given to residents of four villages -- Sindang Panon, Pasar Kemis, Sindang Sari and Sukaharja -- for support of the firm's operations.

"It's our thanks to the residents who have supported us so far that we could survive in facing the economic crisis."

He said the firm recently increased its production to 500,000 pairs of shoes monthly from 20,000 pairs at the beginning of the economic crisis in the middle of last year.

The firm, which produces Reebok shoes, pay its workers a minimum wage of Rp 238,500 monthly, above the government-set Rp 198,500 a month, he said. (41/jun)