Thousands will March to State Palace on Labor Day
30 April 2014 11:20 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has decided to make the International Labor Day on May 1 a national holiday. Nevertheless, workers will still hold protests. Nining Elitos, chairwoman of the Indonesian Trade Union Alliance Confederation (KASBI), said that tens of thousands of workers from the Greater Jakarta area will rally in front of the Hotel Indonesia (HI) roundabout, and proceed to the State Palace, Jakarta.
"We will have a long march [to the palace)," Nining said inJakarta, yesterday.
According to Nining, from Jakarta alone there will be some about 10,000 workers participating in the rally. They will gather with workers from other areas at the HI roundabout at around 09.00 am before reading their demands at the state palace until 17.30.
Nining said the rally will be carried out nationwide, with an estimated number of 250,000 protesters. Workers will be reading their demands, which include the elimination of outsourcing, social security, national wage, and the protection of women and migrant workers.
Agus Setiawan, Secretary of the Indonesian Employers Association Bekasi, said that no factories will be operating on May 1. He also said there are no special preparations to face labor protests.
Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Inspector General Dwi Prayitno, promised that this year's Labor Day parade will take place safely. The police will deploy 18,000 personnel on May 1st and 2nd, with the help of 2,000 military members.
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