Toll road workers demand pay rise

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)