[Indonesia] Labour unions staging further rallies against Job Creation Law

On November 2 thousands of workers, from several Indonesian labour confederations, staged another round of nationwide protests against the controversial omnibus law on job creation. Participating members came from 32 different worker confederations including the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI), the All-Indonesia Workers Union Confederation (KSPSI) and the National Welfare Movement (Gekanas) to participate in the simultaneous nationwide protests, The Jakarta Post reports.

Prior to the demonstrations, KSPI president Said Iqbal said that the protesters would also file a judicial review for the omnibus law at the Constitutional Court in Central Jakarta at 10:30 am the same day. In a written statement on November 1, Mr Iqbal said, “The [protesters] will demand the cancellation of the omnibus law on job creation and raising the minimum wage in 2021.” 

Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah reportedly received criticism after issuing a circular letter on November 2 instructing regional administrations to maintain the 2020 provincial minimum wage (UMP) or the district or city minimum wage (UMK) for 2021, meaning there will be no increase to the minimum wage next year. 

Mr Said said that workers across Greater Jakarta, Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Aceh, North Sumatra, South Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, Maluku and Papua would participate in the protests. “The protests will be peaceful, following orders and steering clear from anarchy,” he reassured. 

In addition to Monday’s protests, the groups also intend to stage similar protests in Jakarta on November 9 in front of the House of Representative building and in front of the Manpower Ministry office on November 10. “The protests on November 9 and 10 would also raise the two aforementioned demands and this will be done simultaneously in 24 provinces,” Mr Said added.

Source: The Jakarta Post

On November 2 thousands of workers, from several Indonesian labour confederations, staged another round of nationwide protests against the controversial omnibus law on job creation. Participating members came from 32 different worker confederations including the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI), the All-Indonesia Workers Union Confederation (KSPSI) and the National Welfare Movement (Gekanas) to participate in the simultaneous nationwide protests, The Jakarta Post reports.

Prior to the demonstrations, KSPI president Said Iqbal said that the protesters would also file a judicial review for the omnibus law at the Constitutional Court in Central Jakarta at 10:30 am the same day. In a written statement on November 1, Mr Iqbal said, “The [protesters] will demand the cancellation of the omnibus law on job creation and raising the minimum wage in 2021.” 

Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah reportedly received criticism after issuing a circular letter on November 2 instructing regional administrations to maintain the 2020 provincial minimum wage (UMP) or the district or city minimum wage (UMK) for 2021, meaning there will be no increase to the minimum wage next year. 

Mr Said said that workers across Greater Jakarta, Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Aceh, North Sumatra, South Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, Maluku and Papua would participate in the protests. “The protests will be peaceful, following orders and steering clear from anarchy,” he reassured. 

In addition to Monday’s protests, the groups also intend to stage similar protests in Jakarta on November 9 in front of the House of Representative building and in front of the Manpower Ministry office on November 10. “The protests on November 9 and 10 would also raise the two aforementioned demands and this will be done simultaneously in 24 provinces,” Mr Said added.

Source: The Jakarta Post