Labor activists held over street rally

Labor activists held over street rally

JAKARTA (JP): Four labor activists were arrested yesterday for
staging a rally on a busy street in Central Jakarta, protesting
skyrocketing prices of basic essentials and demanding the
government increase workers' wages.

During their brief protest on Jl. MH Thamrin, more than a
dozen activists waved posters which, among others, called for the
release of jailed labor leader Muchtar Pakpahan, chairman of the
unrecognized Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI).

The protest was later dispersed by dozens of armed police who
arrived in front of the busy Sarinah department store.

The four arrested activists were taken to the city police
headquarters for questioning.

The four were identified as Kuldiv Singh, who claimed
responsibility for the street protest, Farahdiba Agust, 23, Wandi
Nikodemus, 22, and Widi, 26.

Before they were taken away, they shouted: "Hidup rakyat.
Merdeka (Long live the people. Freedom)."

During the protest which drew the attention of passersby and
people boarding buses at the nearby bus stop in front of the
department store, Farahdiba said: "We want lower prices of goods
and labor layoffs stopped."

She also called on the government to eradicate nepotism,
corruption and collusion, saying they dragged down the country's
economy.

"We also demand Muchtar Pakpahan be released and the SBSI be
recognized as a show of the country's freedom to assemble," she
said.

Pakpahan is currently serving a four-year jail term for
inciting labor unrest in North Sumatra province in 1994.

Pakpahan, who is being treated at a Jakarta hospital for a
benign lung tumor, is also being tried for subversion in relation
to rioting here in July 1996.

Farahdiba's fellow activists called on the government to raise
this year's workers' minimum regional wages which have been put
on hold since the economic crisis hit the country last year.

By government regulation, minimum regional wages are increased
annually and take effect in April. But the government has agreed
to suspend the wage rises due to the deepening economic crisis.

Minimum wages differ from one area to another. The minimum
monthly wage in Greater Jakarta, for example, is Rp 172,000.

Jakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said the
activists could be charged with Article 510 of the Criminal Code
which carries a maximum penalty of two week's imprisonment or a
Rp 150 fine.

"What they have done was a violation. They conducted
unauthorized mass activity or a demonstration on the street," he
said.

He said people who wanted to stage activities in public
places, including on the street, must first obtain permission
from the authorities.

Aritonang said the four were still being questioned late
yesterday afternoon. (cst/aan)