Thousands Of Workers Rally At City Hall For Pay Increase

Jakarta, Oct 29 (Antara) - Thousands of workers rallied in front of City Hall here on Tuesday to demand a pay increase. Workers began arriving at 11am and filled the road in front the City Hall. Despite heavy rains, they continued the demonstration, and singing labor fight songs, while flying union flags. "We came here to meet Jokowi and Ahok (the Jakarta governor and deputy governor). We are demanding a raise in the provincial minimum wage (UMP) and inclusion of more items in the Decent Livelihood Components (KHL)," said Winarso, the chairman of the regional executive board of the Federation of Metal Workers Unions (FSPMI). He noted that the demonstration was only a rehearsal before the national strike planned for October 31 to November 1. "Later, during the national strike, workers will stop operating all engines in their companies. After the national strike, we hope there will be negotiations with the government for our demands," he said. He also said workers demanded an increase in the UMP by 50 percent from the current Rp2.2 million to Rp3.7 million, the end of outsourcing and a rise in the KHL from Rp1.9 million for 60 items to Rp2.7 million for 84 items.