Workers face food shortages

BANDAR LAMPUNG, South Sumatra: At least 2,000 casual workers of a pineapple plantation and canning firm which was burned down by locals in September are suffering from food shortages, Antara news agency reported.

Workers said on Friday they had virtually no income since PT Tris Delta Agrindo, a joint venture with Taiwan, closed down.

"Even when we earned Rp 5,000 a day, we didn't spend it all on rice because it wouldn't have lasted for a month," said Kamzah, a mother of two who worked at the firm with her husband.

"We also bought dried cassava (tiwul) which is only Rp 1,500 per kilogram." Rice cost at least Rp 3,000 per kilogram.

Locals burned down the office, trucks and tractors in anger because of land problems on the 4,666-hectare plot, leading to losses estimated at Rp 10 billion. A police officer said locals were impatient because efforts to reach settlement were still being sought.

Kamzah said the couple had no income they obtained tiwul by taking cassava trimmings from farmers who had harvested their crops. Workers said they hoped the administration could help them also settle the land problems with locals. (01)