Maryadi/BI & GB, Pontianak – Hundreds of truck drivers at the Dwikora port in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, went on strike Monday. The drivers have conveyed their demand for an increase of 100% to the tariff for the rental of transport vehicles at the port to the Indonesian Expedition and Forwarder Group (Gafeksi) in Pontianak. Much to their disappointment, the drivers settled for a 50% increase.

Their strike action apparently had the support of local water-side labourers. The laborers require the truck drivers to bring the goods to unload and with the truck drivers striking, the laborers were left helpless.

One of the striking driver, Mulyono said that the minimum wage paid to the driver is too small for the maintenance of the truck. Currently the trucks are rented at Rp15,000 per load (US$1.50). He said that with the announcement of fuel price hikes, "the drivers are having difficulties covering costs."

Mulyono believed that the minimum fee must raise at least by 100% to cover the "maintenance and fuel costs." He said that a lot of his fellow truck drivers are having difficulties in keeping their vehicle in running order. Following negotiations with Gafeksi, the minimum fee has been increased by 50% and will come into effect on Thursday.

Secretary of Gafeksi, Retno Pramudya SH, told Detik that the negotiation on the fee had been discussed between the drivers, the users of the service and Gafeksi on the 23 September. During this negotiation only seven drivers were present and they all agreed to increase the minimum fees per load by 50%. Retno said that the increase will be effective after the approval from several government authorities.

Retno also said that the 100% increase demanded by the drivers was unachievable as the opinion from the users of the service have to be considered as well. "What's important, however, is not the users, but public in general have to bear the cost later on," Retno said. He said that Gafeksi had been a mediator between the drivers and the service users.