Indoleft | Commemorating May Day, workers turn Jakarta business district into a 'sea of people'

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Commemorating May Day, workers turn Jakarta business district into a 'sea of people'

Detik News - May 1, 2015

Jokowi skips town as May Day protesters inundate State Palace – BBC Indonesia. May 1, 2015
Workers in Malang say government 'sells' cheap labour to attract foreign investors – Okezone. May 1, 2015
Workers in Bandung commemorate May Day with plan to establish labour party – Tempo.co. May 1, 2015
Journalist in Surabaya commemorate May Day with silent protest – Tempo.co. May 1, 2015
Time for workers to have their own political vehicle, challenge capitalism – RMOL. May 1, 2015

Mei Amelia R, Jakarta – Tens of thousands of protesting workers have packed the Hotel Indonesia (HI) traffic Circle in Central Jakarta this morning, Friday May 1, turning the Thamrin business district into a sea of people.

The workers came to the HI traffic circle to commemorate International Labour Day (May Day) and it is estimated that tens of thousands of protesters will arrive.

The protesters represent an alliance of several trade unions including the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (KSBI), the Confederation of Prosperity Labour Unions (KSBSI), the All Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI), the Confederation of the All-Indonesian Workers Union (KSPSI), the All-Indonesia Workers Union Federation (FSPSI) and many others.

The protesters came not just from Jakarta, but also from the satellite cities of Bekasi, Tangerang, Bogor, Depok, Karawang and Purwakarta.

Wearing uniforms of red, blue, green and white, the protesters swarmed along the length of main thoroughfare between the HI traffic circle and Thamrin. They also brought flags from their respective trade unions.

After gathering at the HI traffic circle, the protesters will hold a long-march to the nearby State Palace where they will give speeches and hold Friday prayers. Following this, they will proceed to the Bung Karno Sports Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta, to take part in a thanks giving and musical entertainment.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Dipenuhi Massa Buruh Rayakan Mayday, Bundaran HI Jadi Lautan Manusia.]

Source: http://news.detik.com/read/2015/05/01/105318/2903226/10/dipenuhi-massa-buruh-rayakan-mayday-bundaran-hi-jadi-lautan-manusia?nd771104bcj.

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