Protesters march for Women's Day

Protesters march for Women's Day

JAKARTA: Around 500 protesters from three different
organizations staged a simultaneous rally to commemorate
International Women's Day, which fell on Mar. 8.

During the protest, the groups conveyed their different
demands.

The protesters -- comprising the Indonesian Women Leader's
Trade Union Forum (IWLTUF), the Front for the Struggle of the
Poor (FPRM) and the Islamic Students of Statistics Institutes --
marched from the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle to the State
Palace in Central Jakarta.

IWLTUF coordinator, Ester S. Tuange, said they were demanding
equal treatment for women and equal opportunities in the labor
market. She said companies must not practice wage discrimination
as between men and women, and must eliminate the exploitation of
women.

The Islamic students demanded the right and freedom for women
to wear headscarves and perform their religious obligations on
campus.

Neanwhile, the FPRM's spokesperson, Fifi, revealed that her
group were making general demands instead of demands related to
women's issues only. These included a 100 percent increase in the
regional minimum wage, reinstituting public health subsidies and
greater employment opportunities. -- JP