Strike paralyzes Palangkaraya

Strike paralyzes Palangkaraya

PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: Scores of city bus drivers
went on strike yesterday, paralyzing public transportation in
town for the whole day.

They are demanding that the government stop the illegal
minibuses that have been roaming the city streets and cutting
into their incomes over the past six months.

Antara reported that the daily income of a legal driver has
dropped from an average of Rp 75,000 (US$34) to as low as Rp
30,000 a day since the illegal buses were present.

"Our demand is clear: Stop the illegal buses," said one
protester who requested anonymity.

Palangkaraya mayor Nahson Taway, who met the strikers,
promised that the government would crack down on the illegal
vans. (pan)