Workers strike for wage hike

JAKARTA (JP): About 800 workers of Bekasi-based yarn company PT Oceanic Cotton Mill Indonesia went on strike Wednesday, demanding wage increases by 15 percent, reduction on income tax collection and improvement of welfare.

The workers held a noisy rally and unfurled banners at the firm's factory compound on Jl. Kaliabang in North Bekasi.

At about 9 a.m. several representatives of the protesters met with executives of the company's management.

Wati, 24, the protesters' spokeswoman, said workers wanted the company to raise their wages by 15 percent as of July instead of September as promised by the management.

"We have gone on strike because it will be too long to wait until September," Wati was quoted by Antara as saying.

Meanwhile, P.K. Wong, one of the firm's managers, explained that the company had planned to raise the wages by September.

"But we will discuss it with owners of the company to bring forward the raise to August," he said. (hhr)