Women workers demand equality

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Hundreds of female workers of PT Ever Bright Battery marched on Monday to the provincial legislative council demanding equal treatment with their male colleagues.

The workers said they had requested equal pay, but their request was turned down by the ABC battery manufacturer which employs 1,020 workers, 365 of which are women.

One of the women workers said the female employees were given a daily "productivity incentive" of Rp 250 (U.S. 9 cents) as compared to Rp 1,200 for male workers.

The workers daily wage is the same, Rp 5,035, lower than the official minimum wage of Rp 5,100. (21/swe)