Mass Strike Resumes; KSPI to Center Protest in Industrial Zone

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Worker Union Confederation (KSPI) President Said Iqbal confirmed that his side along with 32 other labor union federations and confederations would resume the national strike on its third day, October 8, 2020.

“October 8 is the last day of the national strike of KSPI and KSPSI AGN and 32 labor union federations based on the agreement and instruction of the organization that has been circulated days ago,” Said confirmed in a written statement on Thursday.

The strike was staged to urge the government to revoke the Omnibus Law on Job Creation that was passed on Monday, October 5. As reported, KSPI deemed the government rushed in the drafting of the contentious law.

Besides, various fundamental problems lying in the new rule were deemed detrimental for workers and affected job certainty, income certainty, and social security.

KSPI recorded that there was a bigger number of people taking to the street on the second day of the protest. Several regions also held major actions, including Tangerang, Jakarta, Bogor, Karawang, Bekasi, Purwakarta, Bandung, Subang, Lampung, Gresik, Surabaya, and Batam.

Said Iqbal said the national strike on the third day would still be held in each regency or city and would be carried out peacefully based on the public order and without anarchy.

“The protest still sticks to the initial plan. The location of the strike will be around industrial zone determined by each leader of regional labor unions,” Said added.

Read also: Labor Unions Resume to Stage Protest Against Job Creation Omnibus Law Today

CAESAR AKBAR