Unpaid wages prompt strike

BANYUMAS, Central Java (JP): Thousands of workers involved in government-sponsored labor-intensive projects have been on strike for a week here because they have yet to be paid their promised wages in rice.

As of Tuesday, many projects, such as water work repairs around Manis market in West Purwokerto, remained dormant, causing heavy traffic congestion.

"This is not a repair, this is destruction that is hampering our jobs," said Slamet, 36, a pedicab driver, referring to piles of stones and soil along the road.

The government has set up labor-intensive projects throughout the country to provide temporary jobs for recently laid-off workers.

Suwarto, a worker from Kedungwuluh subdistrict, said he had been promised two kilograms of uncooked rice for each workday, which lasted from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. "But this week, we haven't even received a kilogram," he said.

Another worker said his group of laborers had worked 10 days without receiving any compensation.

Banyumas Regent Aris Setiono said the rice was late because aid from the World Bank had yet to arrive. But he promised to procure rice from the regency's State Logistics Agency branch.

The regency's projects started on Aug. 24 and are scheduled to last three months.

The projects are currently employing 294 people from Patikraja district, 223 from south Purwokerto, 78 from north Purwokerto, 223 from Pekuncen and 723 from Lumbir district. (45)