The Jakarta Police appealed to employers to have security guards stationed at their posts during May Day, as they expect around 200,000 workers attending planned protests on May 1.

'€œWe encourage security guards in Jakarta to not take part in the May Day protests, but to maintain security at their offices where they work during the day,'€ Jakarta Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Sudjarno told reporters on Tuesday after a meeting between Jakarta Police executives and representatives of Security Service Providers Association (BUJP).

Sudjarno said that workers must not block toll roads or force coworkers to take part in the protests.

The meeting was meant to organize preventive action ahead of the 2013 May Day protests.

The police also asked employers to set up a peaceful celebration of May Day, such as a shadow puppet performance, to prevent their workers from joining the protests.

BUJP chief Sutjipto said the National Police had told him earlier that security guards, whose main job is to maintain security in offices, were not allowed to join the protests.