Streets Closed as Labor Unions Protest Against 2022 Minimum Wage

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A number of streets in Jakarta near the National Monument (Monas) heading to the City Hall and Merdeka Palace will be temporarily closed as there will be a stage for a labor rally in protest against the 2022 provincial minimum wage (UMP) increase of 1.09 percent. 

Metro Jaya Police traffic director grand commissioner Sambodo Purnomo Yogo said streets that will be closed include the South Medan Merdeka, Gambir, Harmoni, and streets heading to the State Palace area. 

Police also plan to redirect traffic across a number of critical locations such as the House of Representatives (DPR), MPR, and KPK headquarter. 

There are around 400 personnel mobilized to guard the rally that is said to be participated by 10,000 people from nationwide workers/labor unions. 

Head of the Indonesian Labor Union Confederation (KSPI) Said Iqbal announced that the unions joining the rally come from KSPI, KPBI, and FSPMI. He said protests will be centered at the Merdeka Palace, Constitutional Court (MK) headquarters, and Jakarta City Hall. 

The rally also aims to pressure President Joko Widodo to issue a discretion in form of a Presidential decree to annul the Jakarta governor’s order on minimum wage. They demand the minimum wage to be increased by 10-15 percent. 

Read: Minister Asserts Minimum Wage Still Refers to Job Creation Law Derivatives

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH