Workers continue rally, demanding decree revocation

Workers continue rally, demanding decree revocation

JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of workers staged a rally for the third
consecutive day here on Thursday, demanding the revocation of a
ministerial decree that they consider benefits employers more
than workers.

The workers, grouped in the Indonesian National Front for the
Workers' Struggle (FNPBI), staged their protest at the Ministry
of Manpower and Transmigration on Jl. Gatot Subroto, South
Jakarta.

The coordinator of the protest, Arman, demanded that Minister
of Manpower and Transmigration Al Hilal Hamdi fulfill his earlier
promise to review ministerial decree No. 78 of 2001 on severance
pay by Wednesday.

"After 14 days of delay, today is the last day for Minister Al
Hilal Hamdi to decide whether or not he will revoke his decree,"
asserted Arman.

It is not clear, however, if the minister met with the
protesters later on Wednesday.

The workers are demanding the revocation of the decree,
contending that the minister has buckled under pressure from
foreign investors and local big business when issuing the decree.

The new decree on severance pay amended ministerial decree No.
150 of 2000 which entitles employees to a substantial payout
regardless of whether they resign or are dismissed.

Workers have vowed to go on strike to force the government to
revoke the decree. They have been staging rallies at the ministry
since Monday, when thousands of workers grouped in the Federation
of All Indonesian Labor Unions practically occupied every open
space in the ministry's grounds.

On Tuesday, hundreds of workers from the Textile, Sandal and
Leatherworkers Labor Union (FSPPTSK) also staged a rally at the
ministry's offices for the same purpose. (01)