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Labor union gears up for Dec. 2 rally in line with Ahok protest
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Collective demands: Thousands of members of the Indonesian Metal Workers Federation (FSPMI) hold a rally before the State Palace in Central Jakarta, earlier this year, demanding the government stop the ongoing massive layoffs at a number of labor-intensive factories in the country. (JP/DON)
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eaders of the Confederation of Indonesian Workers Unions (KSPI) said Thursday the organization would go ahead with its planned rally in Jakarta on Friday despite law enforcers’ calling them to reschedule, paving the way for the rally’s amalgamation with another demonstration demanding Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama be arrested for his blasphemy case.
KSPI chairman Said Iqbal said around 50,000 workers from Greater Jakarta, West Java cities Karawang and Purwakarta, and Serang in Banten would gather in front of City Hall to demand the revocation of Government Regulation No. 78/2015 on wages and Ahok’s arrest.
"The workers will gather in the Tugu Tani area [in Central Jakarta] around 10 a.m. and march to City Hall,” he said on Thursday in a statement.
(Read also: AGO submits Ahok's case dossier to court)
A large-scale mass gathering, initiated by the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesia Ulema Council’s Fatwa (GNPF-MUI), is planned to take place at the National Monument’s park in Central Jakarta on Friday, during which participants will gather in dzikir (chanting), listen to tausiyah (preaching) and conduct Friday prayers.
Said promised that speeches for the labor rally would only start after Friday prayers so as not to disturb the event.
On Wednesday, National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said police would be ready to secure the labor protest.
"We have urged them [labor union leaders] to reschedule. However, they’ve insisted on going ahead with their rally, so all we can do is supervise them,” Boy said. (hwa)
