Workers protest new labor bills

Workers protest new labor bills

MEDAN, North Sumatra: At least 700 workers from six regencies
in North Sumatra grouped under The North Sumatra Labor Union NGO
Forum held a rally on Wednesday at the provincial legislature to
oppose the bills on labor protection and industrial dispute
settlement.

The forum, comprising 14 labor groups, urged the provincial
legislative council to channel their aspirations to the House of
Representatives legislators who are currently hammering out the
two draft laws in Jakarta.

During the rally, the workers put their signatures on a long
banner of white cloth to express their challenge to the bills,
which according to them failed to provide menstruation leave for
women, restricted street rallies, maintained employment based on
contract and removed the state's responsibility to provide people
with decent jobs.

The protesters became angry when some of the councillors who
received them were reluctant to convey their aspirations to
Jakarta. -- JP