Workers face food shortages

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)