Indonesian workers take to the streets
Wednesday, May 3rd, 2006 | 8:50 pm @ SK
Via Jakarta Post:
JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of workers on Wednesday tore down a three-meter high gate at the House of Representatives building in Senayan, Central Jakarta, during a chaotic demonstration against a revision of the 2003 Labor Law.The demonstrators threw rocks, sticks and other items at about 1,000 police officers who were guarding the building after protesters tore down the gate, which was constructed recently, MetroTV reported.
The violence occurred after protesters occupied a turnpike and burned tires there, paralyzing the toll road and causing traffic jams along other streets like Jl. Gatot Subroto, Jl. Sudirman, Jl. Pejompongan and Jl. Rasuna Said.
Police officers fired tear gas to disperse the protesters, who came from around Greater Jakarta, including Tangerang, Bogor, Bekasi and Depok.
The situation calmed after leaders of the House said the legislature would reject any attempts to revise the Labor Law. But thousands of workers still remained outside the House complex.
While I’m staying near to the House of Representatives with office is situated quite a distance away, I’ve to admit that I was worried with the crowds.
The aftermath? 4 hours of traffic jam on the road! But still, the essential part is, I’m back!