Workers stage rally in Semarang

Workers stage rally in Semarang

SEMARANG (JP): About 2,500 workers staged a demonstration on
Saturday at the Central Java governor's office in conjunction
with International Labor Day, which fell on May 1.

Governor Mardiyanto was seen among the workers, and said he
supported the peaceful rally.

The workers, who came from various areas in Central Java,
displayed hundreds of posters and banners and also held free
speech forums.

They demanded that wages be raised to at least Rp 300,000 per
month and rejected possible dismissals, which have been rampant
since the economic crisis. They also demanded firm action against
harsh treatment and violence against workers.

They also demanded an end to military intervention in labor
affairs. A ministerial instruction justifying military
intervention in labor action in cases of possible destruction has
been revoked.

Other demands were for the establishment of an independent
labor court instead of the present one under the Ministry of
Manpower. Workers also demanded further investigation into the
death of Surabaya-based labor activist Marsinah. The case of the
worker, who was killed in 1993, was closed following an outcry
over retraction of testimonies based on torture.

The workers appealed for their colleagues to make the coming
elections a success, but stressed their freedom of choice as they
now refused to be forced to support any party.

Governor Mardiyanto promised he would try to help them realize
their hopes for higher wages.

"To raise the minimum regional wage we must take into account
the economic reality nowadays," he said. Any benefits gained by
companies should be shared by workers. (har)