Bekasi – Thousands of workers at Japan-based electronic goods producer PT Sanyo Indonesia went on strike Tuesday following the suspension of the management of their union.

From 7 a.m., the demonstrators staged a sit-in at a factory in the East Jakarta Industrial Park, Bekasi, demanding their three colleagues be reinstated.

"They were suspended because they were involved in the demonstration last April that was staged to demand a raise. The company had agreed that no one would be dismissed or punished over the demonstration," said workers union deputy chairman Zainuddin.

Company management refused to meet with the workers, but a staffer, Fumitosi Izumi, read a statement requesting that they end their strike. "Since the strike is a violation of the Labor Law, the workers can be subject to suspension or even dismissal, while the case can be brought to trial," she said.

The workers said they would continue to strike until their demands were met.