Workers examined for menstrual leave

JAKARTA (JP): More than a thousand workers at a biscuit factory on Jl. Raya Bogor, East Jakarta, have to endure a physical examination to obtain menstruation leave.

The factory union chairman, Aliudin, said yesterday he has already protested to the management of PT Khong Guan Biscuit, which promised to think of a better way to find out whether workers are really having their period.

General Manager Budi Hendarto told reporters and visiting councilors yesterday that so far the examination by female medical staff is considered necessary to make sure no one abuses the two-day menstruation leave allowance.

He said: "The rule's objective is that no female employee should be dismissed because of her natural traits which might disturb production.

"So if a worker claims to have her period she must be able to prove it" to gain menstruation leave.

Without such examinations, the leave could easily be abused by workers who are lazy, Budi said.

A worker told reporters that they resent the treatment, but the only option to avoid it is by not taking the leave.

"But we take the leave anyway because if we don't, the management might withdraw the right," the worker, who requested anonymity, said.

"We struggled hard for the leave, and only got it two years ago," she said.

Councilor Salam Sumangat from Commission E for social welfare, said there must be other ways to avoid abusing menstruation leave.

"The method (of physical examination) is inhumane," Salam, also an executive of the Federation of the All Indonesian Workers' Union said.

"Checking a worker's menstruation cycles could be another way," he said.

Councilors also found that the 1,455 daily workers were only paid basic wages, which is Rp 5,300 per day for new workers, without meals, transport or any other allowances. The rule on minimum wages states the wages should not include allowances.

The company's workforce consists of 376 men and 1,079 women. It was established in 1971.

Councilors said the visit was meant to serve as an insight into a factory with comparatively good working conditions, according to reports from officials. They urged the management to provide allowances and healthier surroundings for meals, which are eaten on the roadside. (anr)