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Thousands of workers protest new payment formula
Workers display a poster demanding the government revoke the recently issued Government Regulation (PP) No
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Workers display a poster demanding the government revoke the recently issued Government Regulation (PP) No. 78 on minimum wage increases during a demonstration near the National Monument in Jakarta on Friday.(thejakartapost.com/Wienda Parwitasari) (PP) No. 78 on minimum wage increases during a demonstration near the National Monument in Jakarta on Friday.(thejakartapost.com/Wienda Parwitasari)
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span class="caption">Workers display a poster demanding the government revoke the recently issued Government Regulation (PP) No. 78 on minimum wage increases during a demonstration near the National Monument in Jakarta on Friday.(thejakartapost.com/Wienda Parwitasari)
Thousands of workers from Jakarta and its satellite cities have gathered near National Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta to reject the new payment formula as stipulated in newly issued Government Regulation No. 78 on Payments.
The street rally organizers claimed that some 20,000 workers were expected to join the protest that was planned recently, following the issuance of the government regulation.
The government regulation, issued as a follow-up of the fourth economic package to improve the investment climate, rules that the minimum wage is based on the current fiscal year's inflation and gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate.
It replaced the old formula that was based on the basic cost of living (KHL) survey of 84 basic commodities and other daily needs of workers.
Kompas.com reported that more workers were coming from buses and mini-trucks from various directions, equipped with flags, banners and posters. Most of them were gathering on Jl Medan Merdeka Barat, near Arjuna Wijaya Monument as they were waiting for other workers before they marched to Jl Medan Merdeka Utara, in front of the State Palace.
The gathering made the traffic move at a snail's pace.
The police started to guide motorists to avoid places where workers were gathering together. A number of roads were closed like in the areas near Kebon Sirih and Harmoni in Central Jakarta.
Dozens of police officers were standing by near the Hotel Indonesia (HI) roundabout on Jl MH Thamrin.
City Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Muhammad Iqbal said that the police have anticipated the possible massive demonstration by closing a number of roads. (bbn)(+)
