Mobil-Exxon workers go on strike

At least 1,100 workers of PT Exxon-Mobil Inc went on strike at the company's gas operation in Lhoksukon, Aceh on Wednesday demanding a higher increase in their wages, Analisa reported on Thursday.

During the strike, which lasted from early in the morning till late in the afternoon, the workers demanded the company to increase their salaries by at least 50 percent and to provide transportation and health allowances.

The workers said that the 8 percent raise made by the company in May was too small, reflecting the insensitivity of the management on their welfare.

"The 8 percent increase in May was too small, not comparable to the rise in the prices of basic goods. We demand the management to raise the salaries by at least 50 percent to enable us to survive. We also want the company to provide transportation and health allowances," said a worker, who claimed to have worked as a heavy equipment operator in the company for 15 years.

The workers threatened to rally again on Thursday (today) as none of the company's executives met them on Wednesday.

The workers, mostly recruited as temporary workers, also demanded the company to upgrade their status as regular workers because most of them have worked for years in the company. They said the company has breached the ILO convention, which prohibits a company from discriminating the workers' status and jobs. (*)