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