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Workers demand 30 percent increase in minimum wage
Thousands of workers have demanded that the minimum wage be increased 30 percent starting next year
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T
housands of workers have demanded that the minimum wage be increased 30percent starting next year. During Labor Day rallies on Thursday, workers presenteda list of 'Ten Public Demands', among them pay increases.
Confederation of Indonesian Worker's Union (KSPI) chairman Said Iqbal
said he was optimistic that the government would heed the demand.
"The government has increased the minimum wage by 20 to 25 percent before.
This year, we demand that the increase reaches 30 percent," he told
journalists during a rally at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle.
Said also asked the government to eliminate outsourcing practices because it resulted
in unfair treatment for workers.
The workers also demanded free public transportation and low-cost housing, as well as 12 years free education and scholarships for their children.
'We will strike if the government turns a blind eye to our demands,' he
said.
Around 100,000 workers from Jakarta and surrounding areas, such as Bekasi and
Tangerang, gathered at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle and marched to the
State Palace.
At about 1 p.m., they moved to Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Senayan to hold a final rally for the day. (gda)
