Tarakanita hit by protest and brawl

JAKARTA: Three people were arrested on Thursday after a rally turned ugly at the Tarakanita Secretarial Academy in Kali Malang, East Jakarta. The demonstration by the teachers and students was a demand for more money and better conditions.

During the rally mostly involving teachers, but backed by their students, a brawl also occurred between a number of the school's students and its parents association members.

The incidents took place after some 112 employees, 70% of the total 160 employees of the academy, held a protest to demand a pay raise from the school management.

Gultom, an English language lecturer, said the academy had made no attempt at all to improve their welfare. He had worked at the academy for five years, however, he was still paid Rp 10,000 per hour, and without any health or employee insurance.

The protest started at 9 a.m. when several teachers along with the students occupied the director's office. After hearing the news, the Tarakanita management decided to call the subdistrict police to deal with the protesters.

The police came into the office and attempted to forcibly remove the teachers from the office. A struggle ensued and two students were injured after trying to stop the police. --JP