Labor activists held over street rally<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Four labor activists were arrested yesterday for
\nstaging a rally on a busy street in Central Jakarta, protesting
\nskyrocketing prices of basic essentials and demanding the
\ngovernment increase workers' wages.<\/p>\n
During their brief protest on Jl. MH Thamrin, more than a
\ndozen activists waved posters which, among others, called for the
\nrelease of jailed labor leader Muchtar Pakpahan, chairman of the
\nunrecognized Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI).<\/p>\n
The protest was later dispersed by dozens of armed police who
\narrived in front of the busy Sarinah department store.<\/p>\n
The four arrested activists were taken to the city police
\nheadquarters for questioning.<\/p>\n
The four were identified as Kuldiv Singh, who claimed
\nresponsibility for the street protest, Farahdiba Agust, 23, Wandi
\nNikodemus, 22, and Widi, 26.<\/p>\n
Before they were taken away, they shouted: "Hidup rakyat.
\nMerdeka (Long live the people. Freedom)."<\/p>\n
During the protest which drew the attention of passersby and
\npeople boarding buses at the nearby bus stop in front of the
\ndepartment store, Farahdiba said: "We want lower prices of goods
\nand labor layoffs stopped."<\/p>\n
She also called on the government to eradicate nepotism,
\ncorruption and collusion, saying they dragged down the country's
\neconomy.<\/p>\n
"We also demand Muchtar Pakpahan be released and the SBSI be
\nrecognized as a show of the country's freedom to assemble," she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Pakpahan is currently serving a four-year jail term for
\ninciting labor unrest in North Sumatra province in 1994.<\/p>\n
Pakpahan, who is being treated at a Jakarta hospital for a
\nbenign lung tumor, is also being tried for subversion in relation
\nto rioting here in July 1996.<\/p>\n
Farahdiba's fellow activists called on the government to raise
\nthis year's workers' minimum regional wages which have been put
\non hold since the economic crisis hit the country last year.<\/p>\n
By government regulation, minimum regional wages are increased
\nannually and take effect in April. But the government has agreed
\nto suspend the wage rises due to the deepening economic crisis.<\/p>\n
Minimum wages differ from one area to another. The minimum
\nmonthly wage in Greater Jakarta, for example, is Rp 172,000.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said the
\nactivists could be charged with Article 510 of the Criminal Code
\nwhich carries a maximum penalty of two week's imprisonment or a
\nRp 150 fine.<\/p>\n
"What they have done was a violation. They conducted
\nunauthorized mass activity or a demonstration on the street," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said people who wanted to stage activities in public
\nplaces, including on the street, must first obtain permission
\nfrom the authorities.<\/p>\n
Aritonang said the four were still being questioned late
\nyesterday afternoon. (cst\/aan)<\/p>",
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