Workers protest over allowance

TANGERANG (JP): About 500 workers of a ceramics company on Jl. Kali Sabi in Jatiuwung have gone on strike, protesting the management's decision to pay half of their Idul Fitri allowances in the firm's ceramics products.

"We want the allowances be paid in cash, not in the company's products, such as cups, glasses and dishes," said Santi, one of the protesters.

The workers of PT Jatakekeramindo Kharisma held a sit-in at the company's compound Monday after a similar strike Saturday.

Santi said the allowances to be given by the company reached an average of Rp 172,500 (US$21.50), equivalent to one month's salary.

She said the ceramic products to be given to the workers were unsold products. "Most of the ceramic wares to be given to us as our allowance consist of rejected products."

The workers refused to attend a meeting to settle the problem with the company's management and officials from the Ministry of Manpower.

An executive of the company, however, denied that the company planned to pay part of the Idul Fitri allowances in the company's products.

"Because of the monetary crisis, the company is able to pay 75 percent of the allowances and the remainder will be paid three months later," said the executive, who asked for anonymity. (41/jun)