Workers report exploitation

TANGERANG, West Java (JP): Dozens of workers, mainly women, have reported to the local chapter of the Indonesian Journalists' Association that their employer has denied them their full salaries and has forced them to work overtime without pay.

Several of the workers are said to be between the ages of 14 and 17. One of them, who said she was 15, has suffered a work- related accident.

On Friday, they told an official of the association their employers at the Asia Plastic Smelting Plant forced them to work 12 hours a day without overtime pay.

The plant is in Mekarsari village, Batuceper.

The workers said their salaries are below the minimum regional weekly wage of Rp 31,200 (US$13) imposed by the government.

They said weekly salaries vary between Rp 17,500 and Rp 19,000 for 12-hour work days.

According to the law, employees must work a maximum of eight hours per day. An employer is permitted to add a maximum of four hours, on the condition the workers receive overtime pay.

The workers said the factory has also refused to include 23 of them in the state-run social security program.

"The factory only gave me some money for medical treatment and for food during my sick leave," said Barokah, 15, showing her bandaged hand.

Barokah said she had complained to the local manpower office and demanded the company pay her Rp 3.5 million in damages.

She said the office has yet to fulfill its promises to help her.

The company's management could not be reached for comments. (05/28)