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)