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)