NL& BS/Fitri & KR, Jakarta – Thousands of employees from 60 branches of the giant Hero supermarket chain across Java and Bali went on strike and rallied causing many stores across Jakarta to close to the public, Wednesday. The protesters poured into the Hero headquarters on Jl Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta, and many others also rallied at their respective Hero branches.

Protesters demanded the management raise transportation and lunch allowances as well as salaries. They also protested the enormous difference in salary between junior and senior management. Junior staff receive only Rp 400,000 per month (US$ 45.20).

Sugeng Wahyudi, coordinator of the strike, said their action was a peaceful action aimed at compelling the management to review the existing salary system. "Employees who have worked for a longer period only receive slightly higher salary than the new employees. This is our objection. Furthermore, Hero's management does not implement minimum regional wages," said Sugeng.

He also said many of his colleagues had been intimidated by the management. "A number of employees in other branches have been intimidated – if they went ahead with today's action, they would be fired," said Sugeng.

The demonstration forced Hero to close some of its supermarkets across Jakarta. Nevertheless, Hero supermarkets in Kemang, Senayan, Pondok Indah and Pondok Bambu, all located in South Jakarta, remained open.

In Surabaya, East Java, workers also rallied at Plaza Tunjungan III, Wednesday. The supermarket was almost closed following an argument between the employees and the management.

The employees refused to work while the management forced them to work as usual and serve customers. It did not last long. When Store Manager Mahmudin CH arrived, the employees continued their rally while the management agreed to replace them as counter staff and cashiers.

Employees of Hero Surabaya demanded a hike in their salary, transportation allowance, and an additional allowance if they worked more than seven hours. They also reiterated demands in Jakarta for a review of the minimal difference between employees who have worked for a longer period and new employees. The management have not responded to these demands claiming they await the decision from Hero headquarters in Jakarta.