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United Workers' Alliance demonstrates in Jakarta over minimum wage

Tempo Interactive - December 6, 2004

Jakarta – On December 7, around 500 trade union members from the United Workers’ Alliance held a demonstration in front of the offices of the Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) in Jakarta on Jalan Kebon Sirih Central Jakarta.

The Workers’ Alliance is demanding that the Jakarta provincial government set the Jakarta provincial minimum wage for 2005 at 759,953 rupiah per month and that the Jakarta Sectoral Provisional Minimum Wage for 2005 at 797,950. The alliance is also demanding that Ministry of Labour and Transmigration Circular Number B.601/2004 on the provisional minimum wage which is based on the minimum cost of living be withdrawn.

The demonstration was taken up with speeches by representatives of the respective organisations which are part of the alliance. In their speeches they demanded that the sectoral and provincial minimum wage for Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi, Cilegon and Bandung be set at the same level as Jakarta.

Various emblems and symbols brought by the demonstrators were visible such as the flags of their respective organisations including the Indonesian Metal Trade Workers Forum (FSPMI), the Indonesian Association of Trade Workers (ASPEK), Migrant Care and the People’s Democratic Party (PRD).

As of going to press they are meeting with the DPRD Commission E and are hoping to be able to meet with the governor of Jakarta. Around 20 representatives from the alliance have just entered the building to meet with Commission E including Lukman Hakim from the PRD and Said Ikbal from FSPMI.

Although the demonstration created a traffic jam on Jalan Kebon Sirih the problem was able to be overcome by police and traffic was able to flow smoothly again.

[Translated by James Balowski.]

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