Workers rally for better welfare

TANGERANG (JP): At least 75 workers from jeans dyeing and washing firm PT Garmenindo Jasa Pratama in Jatiuwung district here staged a rally on Wednesday to demand welfare improvements.

They marched eight kilometers from their factory in the Kroncong industrial estate to the Tangerang office of the Ministry of Manpower.

They demanded a wage increase and a reduction in their work shifts from three a day to two.

Also among their demands is a transportation allowance of Rp 2,000 a day, daily meal allowance of Rp 2,000, two-day menstruation leave and three months maternity leave.

An employee of the manpower office who asked not to be named said the firm's executive, Alay alias Nurmin, did his best to improve workers' welfare. The official declined to identify the measures.

Manpower office chief Apon Suryana urged the workers to settle their dispute amicably with their employer.

"They should not stage a rally if the two parties have good communication," Apon said. (41/jun)