Indonesia police fire tear gas, water to disperse labor rally

Indonesian police fired tear gas and water cannons on May 3 to disperse tens of thousands of workers rallying in front of Parliament over a proposed review of the country's labor law. The protesters massed in front of the heavily-guarded Parliament and forced the closure of a nearby toll road by setting up blockades of burning tires. A policeman on duty in the area estimated some 50,000 protesters had massed there while witnesses said the figure was closer to 100,000. After being unable to enter the Parliament grounds, some protesters pushed over the entry gate and pelted police with debris before police fired the tear gas and water cannons. The unrest paralyzed traffic in the city center for hours. About 50 representatives of the protesters, organized by the All Indonesia Workers Union, were allowed to meet some leaders of the Parliament but no agreement was reached. The government is proposing amendments to a 2003 labor law which would, among other concessions to employers, make it easier for them to hire workers on flexible contracts and cut the amount of severance pay due to employees. The government says its revamp of the 2003 labor law will make Indonesia more competitive. Following strident protests across the country last month, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the government would consult all parties concerned but activists say they do not want the law reviewed at all. Protesters say the changes undermine the freedom to organize and strike. "Don't change the laws," the factory workers shouted, many of them from industrial towns on Jakarta's outskirts. A policeman and two photographers were hurt, and at least six demonstrators were arrested. Workers from the clothing, electronics, transportation, metal and cleaning sectors turned out across the country two days previously–May Day–to protest the proposed revisions.