(MENAFN - Jordan Times) Striking employees of the Jordanian Electric Power Company (JEPCO) on Monday tried to storm the company's premises on Mecca Street, but Gendarmerie forces stopped them, a representative of the JEPCO workers' independent union said.
Sameer Hijazin, vice president of the union, said that scores of workers protesting outside the building had tried to enter the building after being provoked by employees inside who were not participating in the strike.
No injuries or acts of violence were reported, according to Hijazin.
For 17 days, JEPCO workers have been on an open-ended strike demanding improved financial benefits, including four months bonus salary each year, end-of-service allowances, better health insurance and transportation services for all workers.
Hijazin said the strikers had decided to hold daily demonstrations in various locations.
"On Sunday, we gathered outside the Prime Ministry and on Monday we gathered outside the JEPCO building on Mecca Street. So far, we have not decided where we will hold Tuesday's protest," he told The Jordan Times over the phone on Monday.
On Sunday, Ahmad Meri, the president of the union, said that if their demands were not met by Tuesday, the workers would march to the Royal palaces in northwest Amman.
Hijazin, however, said that the union had not yet made up its mind to do so.
Two days ago, around 200 workers gathered outside the Prime Ministry denouncing the company's stance towards their demands and calling for the resignation of Minister of Labour Maher Wakid.
When the strike began, Wakid informed the company's management that both the workers' recently established union and their demands are illegal, JEPCO Director General Marwan Bushnaq said previously.
Meanwhile, Hijazin voiced disappointment at the JEPCO management, which he claimed has not contacted the protesters or met with them to discuss their demands.
"If the company does not meet our demands by next month, we will contact international workers' unions to inform them about our demands," he said.
