2 million Indonesian workers to protest against Job Creation Law

The Law was passed amidst fierce opposition over its feared impact on the environment and labor rights in Indonesia.
By: | October 9, 2020
Topics: Asia-Pacific | Employment Law | Indonesia | News | Southeast Asia

Two million workers from 32 labour unions in Indonesia are set to take part in mass rallies to protest the new Job Creation Law which was passed on October 5.

The Law, which was passed amidst fierce opposition over its feared impact on the environment and labor rights, will make it more appealing for foreign companies to create jobs with stipulations such as allowing employers to hire and fire with lower severance pay and benefits, compared with current labour laws.

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The Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) said that around two million workers representing 32 labor unions would take part in mass rallies and strikes in various cities for several days to demand the House of Representatives revoke the controversial law.

“Workers from various sectors, such as textiles, mining, electronics, pharmaceuticals, tourism, logistics and other sectors, will stage protests in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Cilegon, Purwakarta, Semarang, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Aceh, Medan, Deli Serdang, Batam, Pekanbaru, Palembang and other cities,” KSPI president Said Iqbal said in a statement.

“Workers in Pulogadung agreed to skip working today to show support for [movements] against the Job Creation Law. We planned to stage rallies in front of our factories and on roads in the Pulogadung area until Thursday,” protest coordinator Hilman Firmansyah said as reported by kompas.com.