As many as 2,000 workers of PT Jaya Asiatic Shipyard in Batam, Riau Islands, went on strike Monday, demanding the company fix its poor work conditions. The shipyard, the biggest on the island, has reportedly neglected sanitation and work safety, prevented workers from setting up their own union, and employed contract workers without insuring them under the compulsory social security programs. Deputy chairman of the Batam chapter of the National Workers Union (SPN) Edison Simanjuntak said the workers, mostly contract-based welders, had come to the workplace but had refused to carry out their daily tasks until the poor work conditions were fixed. Edison said the laborers would resume work only after they were provided with work safety equipment such as shoes, helmets and fireproof uniforms because they were all at high risk of occupational accidents. "Bes...