Workers to go on striking

Workers to go on striking

JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of workers in a garment factory in the
western suburb of Cengkareng have pledged to continue their
strike if their demands are not met.

"If we don't receive any response from the company by Friday,
we are going to take our grievances to the city council," a
worker told reporters yesterday.

About 300 workers of PT Garmenindo Industry in Tegal Alur
village have been on strike for two days.

The workers are demanding wage increases, Idul Fitri
allowances, menstruation leave for women and social security for
workers.

No one was available for comment at the factory when reporters
came to call.

Manpower Minister Abdul Latief has instructed companies to pay
Idul Fitri allowances by Feb. 6 at the latest.

The workers who tried to meet the factory production manager,
Acong, were told by the factory security guards that the manager
was in a meeting.

They also said that they have often been treated badly by the
management.

"We don't only have to put up being insulted all the time, we
are also often accused of stealing goods," a worker said.

One employee estimated that the strike has caused a loss of
tens of millions to the factory so far. (14)