Workers stage protests in Bogor

BOGOR: Some 2,000 workers in Bogor regency, West Java, staged a protest on Tuesday demanding minimum wages the same as for workers in the nearby regions of Jakarta, Bekasi and Tangerang, at the regent's office.

The regency administration has not yet set the minimum wage for this year, while last year, it was Rp 576,000 (US$64.7).

The workers demanded that it be increased to Rp 631,000, similar to the other regions.

"We will continue to stage rallies until we receive a similar minimum wage as our fellow workers in Bekasi, Jakarta and Tangerang," said one of the protesters, Cecep Sasmita.

"We have sent a letter to the regent on the matter but there has been no response."

Bogor vice regent, Nana Suryana, told the workers that the administration would increase the minimum wage but it would take time to process it.

The workers, however, demanded a prompt decision to increase their wages immediately. -- JP