The Jakarta Globe, 1 May 2010
Violence erupted in Central Jakarta on Saturday as thousands of workers marched on the Presidential Palace to mark Labor Day. Reports said that police responded with water cannons as elements of the demonstrators – marching to demand better pay and social security for workers – pushed against barricades and threw rocks and other objects.
Protesters from the Allied Congress for Indonesian Workers’ Union and Confederation for Indonesian Prosperous Workers' Union allegedly threw wooden planks and shoes at the police barricade, despite the attentions of the water cannon.
Violence erupted in Central Jakarta on Saturday as thousands of workers marched on the Presidential Palace to mark Labor Day. Reports said that police responded with water cannons as elements of the demonstrators – marching to demand better pay and social security for workers – pushed against barricades and threw rocks and other objects.
Protesters from the Allied Congress for Indonesian Workers’ Union and Confederation for Indonesian Prosperous Workers' Union allegedly threw wooden planks and shoes at the police barricade, despite the attentions of the water cannon.
Detik.com reported that the riot began when police arrested two protesters for allegedly provoking the demonstrators to creep closer to the palace.
It is understood that three protesters were arrested.The demonstrations then continued peacefully and protesters have since began to leave the scene, leaving piles of rubbish.
The protests played havoc with traffic and the busway was forced to temporarily halt operations along the Kota to Blok M line.
Earlier, police said about 15,000 security personnel had been deployed as protestors gathered in the capital's main roundabout before marching to the State Palace, shouting "Today we unite" and "Stop oppression now".
"The social security system in Indonesia is still weak," Indonesian Workers Association head Saepul Tavip told AFP. "The system here only covers about 25 percent of the workers. The social security has to cover all workers and even small people," he said.
Muhammad Shihabudin, 26, who works in a car factory, said the marchers demanded health insurance and a pension fund throughout their lives.
"Many workers at private companies now only receive health insurance while they are still employed. But there is no health insurance after we are out of employment," Shihabudin said.
Indonesian Metal Workers Federation member Didik Suryanto, 31, called for May Day to be made a holiday. "We contribute a lot to the country's economy and industry. The government should declare May 1 as a public holiday to honor us better," Suryanto said near the palace.
Protesters in front of the State Palace sang the national anthem; some marched while carrying a banner that read "Realize social justice for all Indonesians". President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected to visit a factory on the outskirts of the capital and have lunch with the workers, reports said.
State news agency Antara had predicted that tens of thousands of workers would march to demand better pay and improved welfare.
The Jakarta Regional Police said about 10,000 workers would stage rallies on Saturday while the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers' Unions (KSPSI) claimed that it would hold rallies on Monday with about 40,000 demonstrators.
Source: The jakarta Globe
It is understood that three protesters were arrested.The demonstrations then continued peacefully and protesters have since began to leave the scene, leaving piles of rubbish.
The protests played havoc with traffic and the busway was forced to temporarily halt operations along the Kota to Blok M line.
Earlier, police said about 15,000 security personnel had been deployed as protestors gathered in the capital's main roundabout before marching to the State Palace, shouting "Today we unite" and "Stop oppression now".
"The social security system in Indonesia is still weak," Indonesian Workers Association head Saepul Tavip told AFP. "The system here only covers about 25 percent of the workers. The social security has to cover all workers and even small people," he said.
Muhammad Shihabudin, 26, who works in a car factory, said the marchers demanded health insurance and a pension fund throughout their lives.
"Many workers at private companies now only receive health insurance while they are still employed. But there is no health insurance after we are out of employment," Shihabudin said.
Indonesian Metal Workers Federation member Didik Suryanto, 31, called for May Day to be made a holiday. "We contribute a lot to the country's economy and industry. The government should declare May 1 as a public holiday to honor us better," Suryanto said near the palace.
Protesters in front of the State Palace sang the national anthem; some marched while carrying a banner that read "Realize social justice for all Indonesians". President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected to visit a factory on the outskirts of the capital and have lunch with the workers, reports said.
State news agency Antara had predicted that tens of thousands of workers would march to demand better pay and improved welfare.
The Jakarta Regional Police said about 10,000 workers would stage rallies on Saturday while the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers' Unions (KSPSI) claimed that it would hold rallies on Monday with about 40,000 demonstrators.
Source: The jakarta Globe
