Workers protest tardy wages

Workers protest tardy wages

TANGERANG (JP): About 300 garment workers protested to the
regency legislative council Thursday over grievances on salaries
and allowances.

The workers, mostly women, claimed PT Anugerah in Pasar Kemis
subdistrict always postponed their paydays and had scrapped their
transport allowance without reason.

They met with council members Oman Abdurahman, Poerwodarminto
and Masyiah. Also in attendance was a representative of the
company, Elkanius, and an official of the local manpower ministry
office.

The workers told the councilors they each received Rp 5,750 in
daily minimum wage, plus a Rp 750 food allowance per day.

"The wages are given twice a month but never on time," a
worker said. "The company has also dropped the transport
allowance it provided following a Jan. 6 labor protest."

They also alleged they were deprived of their rights to
menstrual, maternity and annual leaves.

The councilors questioned why the company failed to send a
manager with the authority to make decisions to the meeting. They
threatened to refer the problem to the Ministry of Manpower if
the firm failed to resolve it soon. (41)