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40,000 workers to planning to commemorate May Day in Jakarta

Tempo Interactive - April 29, 2008

Agung Sedayu, Jakarta – The Workers Challenge Alliance (ABM) plans to commemorate International Labour Day (May Day) on May 1 by holding an action at the State Palace in Central Jakarta.

According to ABM national labour affairs officer Sahat Hutabarat, the May 1 action will not just include speeches, but also a stage performance by East Java Ponorogo traditional comedians and dancers and the rock group Boomerang.

“Around 40,000 protesters are ready to take part in the action at the Palace, they are comrades from the greater Jakarta area of Jabotabek,” he said.

The protesters will comprise workers from the alliance of 21 trade unions that make up ABM, the Indonesian Farmers Union (SPI), urban poor groups and student organisations.

Before going to the State Palace, they plan to gather at three different departure points in Central Jakarta – the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, Proclamation Monument and the Istiqlal Mosque. They will then hold a long-march from each of these respective points towards the Palace.

[Translated by James Balowski.]

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