Omnibus Law Protesters in Semarang Take 12km Long March

TEMPO.CO, Semarang - The mass rejecting drafts of the omnibus law on job creation in Semarang City conducted a 12 km long march on Wednesday, March 11. The walk kicked off from Taman Lele located before Tugu Sub-district office to Central Java Governor’s Office on Jalan Pahlawan.

The long march that was joined by a group that called themselves Rakyat Jawa Tengah Melawan or Rajam involving workers’ unions, students, and civilians was escorted by police officers.

Before the governor’s office, they made orations standing on the command car. They assessed that many articles in the bill did not favor the community’s interest, so they urged the discussion to be halted. “Stop the discussion on omnibus law,” a mass representative Mulyono shouted.

He highlighted articles on employment that he considered besetting workers since it hindered workers to join a union, abolished many leaves, and cut off workers’ allowance. “Even before the existence of omnibus law so far, many companies violate [the law on employment],” Mulyono asserted.

The Student Executive Body (BEM) of Semarang State University member Didik Armansyah elaborated that students rejected the new regulation drafts as it threatened the fate of their parents who most of them are workers. He said students would also be affected by the law once they graduate from college.

Didik underlined that they would guard the policy discussion until it is annulled. “This is just a warm-up protest. A bigger action will be held on March 23 later,” he said.

JAMAL A NASHR