Henni Marlina, Jakarta – Hundreds of demonstrators from the Workers Challenge Alliance (ABM) held a demonstration against a joint decree (SKB) signed by four ministers on wages. They were demanding that a minimum national wage of 3.5 million rupiah per month be put into effect.

During the action, which started at 10.45am, the demonstrators demanded that the joint ministerial decree be revoked. “The four ministers SKB will oppress workers, revoke it now,” said action coordinator John Silaban in the lobby of the Department of Labour and Transmigration building on Jl. Gatot Subroto, in South Jakarta on Thursday November 6.

In addition to demanding that the decree be revoked, the protesters also called for the enactment of a national minimum wage. According to Silaban, a reasonable wage would be 3.5 million rupiah a month. “A reasonable wage for workers nationally is 3.5 million rupiah,” he said.

During the action, they also unfurled banners with messages such as “The capitalist road has failed to bring prosperity”.

Based on Detik’s observations, the action inside the building proceeded in a peaceful and orderly manner and no traffic jams were apparent along the length of Jl. Gatot Subroto.

As of 12noon, the action, which was watched over by 207 police officers from the Metro Jaya regional police and the South Jakarta district police, was still continuing. (mad/iy)

[Translated by James Balowski.]