Workers Protest Against Omnibus Law; Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat Closed
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12 October 2020 14:44 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The mass from the Indonesia Welfare Labor Confederation (KSBSI) staging a rally against the new Omnibus Law on Job Creation flocked Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, today afternoon, October 12, 2020. Protesters’ vehicles were parked in the middle of the road.
Due to the demonstration, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat heading to Harmoni was closed, while the traffic towards the HI Roundabout was still accessible. Tempo observed that at around 12:40 p.m., the crowds took a rest on the side of the road. Some of them were seen having meals in the area.
The KSBSI reportedly planned to hold a series of rallies for five consecutive days, October 12-26, 2020. Other than objecting to the enactment of the Job Creation Law, they urged President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to issue a government regulation in lieu of law or Perppu.
On Thursday, October 8, workers and students staged a massive protest with similar agendas: objection to the newly-established Omnibus Law. The demonstrations were carried out in various regions of Indonesia.
In Jakarta, the protests ended in chaos. Additionally, from October 6 to 8, many labor unions held a national strike.
Read: Job Creation Includes Sanctions Against Those Damaging Forests
M YUSUF MANURUNG
