Strike induced meltdown

JAKARTA (JP): A five-hour strike by 400 employees of an ice cream factory in Ancol, North Jakarta, caused Rp 50 million (US$21,505) worth of ice cream to melt.

The striking workers, who demanded a day off on national holidays, caused the ready-to-consume ice cream to go undelivered.

Jopie, the personnel manager of PT Diamond Storage, said it was a sour day for the company.

"No drivers wanted to deliver the ice cream. We suffered around Rp 50 million in losses," he said.

The strikers also want the company to cover drivers who get into road accidents.

"So far the company fines drivers who have traffic accidents. The management should consider giving them financial aid," a driver said.

Jopie said company officials will meet on Friday to discuss the workers' sticky demands. (jun)