Workers examined for menstrual leave

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)