Worker union leader on trial

Worker union leader on trial

JAKARTA: The leader of a worker union at the Pondok Indah
hospital in South Jakarta went on trial Wednesday for allegedly
torturing his supervisor two months ago.

Prosecutor Hari Wahyudi told the South Jakarta District Court
that defendant Edi Waluyo attempted to choke Nugroho Marwanto
after the hospital management reprimanded him for neglecting
patients.

During the hearing, which was presided over by Jude IDG Putra
Jadnya, 30 banner-carrying union members appeared in support of
their leader.

Edi, who is not being detained, denied any wrongdoing. He told
reporters outside the courtroom that what he did was a self
defense act.

He said the charges were fabricated and linked to his
position as union leader.

He said the union was currently demanding the management
increase the workers' salaries. Some workers, who have been
working or more than five years at the hospital, receive monthly
salaries under the Regional Minimum Wage of Rp 591,000, he said.
--JP