Clashes hit Indonesian factory used by Adidas

JAKARTA (AFP) - More than 1,300 people clashed with security guards at an Indonesian shoe factory which supplies sportswear giants Adidas and Mizuno, police said on Thursday, a few months after they were sacked for going on strike to demand better pay.

The workers were laid off in July after walking out over demands for back pay following a hike in the minimum wage at the start of 2012.

Police confirmed the clashes occurred during a rally at which the former workers were calling to be reinstated.

Mr Wahyu Widodo, police chief of Tangerang, said police were "helping to mediate" between protesters and the owners of the Panarub Dwikarya factory.