Laborers, farmers to meet ministers

Laborers, farmers to meet ministers

JAKARTA (JP): Nearly 2,550 labors and farmers from the greater
Jakarta area and other places in Java will hold a three-day
dialog with Cabinet ministers at the Proklamasi Monument in
Central Jakarta starting on Friday, one of the organizers said on
Wednesday.

The dialog is part of a five-day event entitled Freedom Party
for the Poor, Farmers and Laborers, organized by the Urban Poor
Consortium (UPC).

"Poor people, farmers and laborers cannot be called free
people as they still live in poor conditions," UPC coordinator
Wardah Hafidz said in a media conference at the monument.

Wardah said four ministers -- Minister of Settlement and
Regional Development Erna Witoelar, State Minister of Human
Rights Affairs Hasballah M. Saad, State Minister of Women Affairs
Khofifah Indar Parawangsa and State Minister of Environment Sony
Keraf -- have confirmed their participation at the event.

Besides the dialog, the event will also feature performances
by folk singer Franky Sahilatua, poet Rendra and actor Butet
Kartarejasa. (09)