Toll road workers demand pay rise

TANGERANG (JP): Around 400 employees of the Tangerang branch of the state toll road operator PT Jasa Marga staged a rally in front of their office on Jl. MH Thamrin here on Monday, demanding a 30 percent wage rise.

The rally, however, did not result in the closure of toll road gates, under the auspices of the branch office, in Kebon Nanas, Karawaci, Cikupa and Curug.

One of the workers, Sarwijo, 32, said the company's decision to increase its employees' wages by 18 percent was deemed inadequate.

"The company only pays employees with 10 years of service Rp 700,000 (US$73.68) per month. The increase offered by the management won't enable us, particularly those who have worked less than 10 years, to satisfy our daily needs," Sarwidjo said.

Office head Bambang Hartanto met the protesters for talks in the office compound, following rumors that the workers planned to hold a rally at the company's headquarters in Jakarta.

Bambang said he could not personally fulfill the demand, but promised to convey it to central management.

He told the employees that he expected to announce the company's response to the demand within two days.

The workers then dispersed peacefully.

Another company executive, Abdul Gani, refused to call the workers' move a demonstration.

"They were not demonstrating, although almost all of the workers were joining the action. They just expressed their demand for better treatment," he said. (41)