Sugar factory workers threaten strike

Sugar factory workers threaten strike

JAKARTA: The country's four million sugar factory workers are threatening to organize a strike and street rallies if the government does not take necessary measures to protect domestic sugar production.

Briefing the press after a meeting with the Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea here on Monday, a spokesperson for the Solidarity Forum for Federation of Sugar Factory Workers (FSSPPGSI) said that street rallies were the best option for them to express their disappointment.

"It is better for us to die protesting than to die (slowly due to unemployment and starvation) because our factories are closed down," FSSPPGSI treasurer Mintarsa told the press.

According to Mintarsa, low sugar prices, which now stand at Rp 2,640 per kilogram, have forced 13 sugar factories to close down their operations.

According to one industry observer, most sugar factories need to sell their product at around Rp 4,000 per kilogram to break even.

"If this situation persists, the remaining 58 sugar factories still operating will also collapse, threatening the lives of some 4 million workers or 17 million people if we include their families," Mintarsa said.

Indonesia is currently importing sugar from Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Bangladesh and Malaysia.

It was not clear if the workers were asking the government to stop importing sugar or to impose higher duties on imported sugar.