Workers demand better pay

Workers demand better pay

TANGERANG (JP): Around 1,600 workers of PT SG garment company
went on strike yesterday, demanding that the company's management
raise their wages in accordance with the minimum wage regulation
set by the government.

The workers arrived at the factory compound at 7 a.m but
instead of starting work they gathered near the entrance gate,
unfurling posters and hurling insults at the company's executives
and security guards.

Some of the posters read: "Our wages are not in line with the
government set minimum wage regulation"; "We want a pay
increase"; "Don't cut our wages arbitrarily."

The striking workers, mostly females, also demanded that they
be given two days menstruation leave every month.

Other demands put forward by the workers included periodical
wage increases, improvement of their daily meals and the
availability of medical doctors who should work every day.

They also queried the production target set by the management,
describing the target as "too ambitious".

Some of the workers banged on the entrance gate, shouting that
they would take their case to the City Council if their demands
were not immediately fulfilled by the company. But nothing
untoward happened as the protesters dispersed and left the
factory compound peacefully.

Luky Soemarno, the office manager of the factory, said he did
not understand why the workers should resort to such action
because the management had forged a good relationship with them.

"Normally such demands are put forward in a more proper manner
and the problems are solved through peaceful negotiations,"
Soemarno said.

He said the management always pays attention to grievances or
complaints filed by its workers.

"They should not have gone on strike because we have already
decided to fulfill some of their demands," Soemarno said without
going into detail.(18/bas)