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Police expect up to 170,000 Labor Day protesters in Jakarta
Jakarta Globe - April 27, 2015
"Just like the previous years, they [the workers] will be gathering at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, the National Monument [both in Central Jakarta] and Bung Karno Stadium [in Senayan, South Jakarta]," the chief of National Police, Gen. Badrodin Haiti, said on Monday after a meeting with labor union representatives.
Badrodin said the unions have promised to keep toll roads open and said they wouldn't force anybody to join the May 1 rallies against their will.
Andi Gani Nena Wea, president of the Confederation of All-Indonesia Workers Unions (KSPSI), said the main focus of the rallies would be to demand higher wages and the elimination of the outsourcing system.
"We have no intention to topple the government," Andi said. "We just want to express our rejection of the outsourcing system, which is being used by many state-owned enterprises." Andi also said he was confident that the rallies would remain peaceful.
Police said over 18,300 security officers – including more than 2,500 military personnel – would keep the order in the capital.
Sr. Comr. Budi Widjanarko of the Jakarta Police said the laborers would converge on the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle at around 10 a.m., and then march toward the State Palace.
The workers would then join Friday prayers at the National Monument (Monas) area, Budi said, after which the group would be split up: one half would continue to the State Palace, the other would head for Bung Karno Stadium to the south.
The Jakarta Police spokesman mentioned a number of 75,000 people who were expected to join the rallies.
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