1 December, 2011Hundreds of thousands of workers descended on the streets in Batam in the Indonesian Riau Islands province known for its free trade zone, demanding decent minimum wages. They were met with rubber bullets and tear gas.
INDONESIA: The rally started early in the morning at 5 am on November 23 and lasted for three days. A large column of people went from the industrial area Muka Kuning, Batu Ampar, Tanjung Uncang, and Batam center towards Batam mayor's office. The rally paralyzed traffic on a distance of ten kilometers. 80 per cent of the industrial area and special economic zone (SEZ) was shut down.
Indonesian unions jointly decided to hold the protest rally to demand that the government addresses an unfair gap in minimum wages for Batam workers. The current minimum wage in Batam amounts to US$124 per month, which represents 93 per cent of the KHL (national Standard minimum living cost) equal to US$137. In comparison, the minimum wage in Jakarta is set to US$163, and US$179 in the metal sector. In Bekasi it is US$157 and US$192 respectively. Batam workers demand a minimum wage of US$185.
In the afternoon the police tried to disperse the workers with tear gas and gunfire. Four workers, including two members of IMF's Indonesian affiliate FSPMI were hit by rubber bullets. Many got injuries and had to be hospitalized.
The Government has so far ignored workers' claims. FSPMI (Federation of Indonesian Metal Workers' Union) has taken the following initiatives:
- To establish a Decent Wage Action Committee (KAUL-Komite Aksi Upah Layak).
- To demand a minimum wage for Batam Riau Islands in 2012 at the level of IDR 1,760,000 (US$193) and IDR 1,848,000 (US$203) for the metal sector.
- To demand the resignation of Batam's mayor for ignoring labour claims, leading to riots in Batam.
- To demand dismissal of the police chief of Riau islands and vice police chief of Balerang for their repressive police action (tear gas use and shootings) in result of which four workers were shot.
- To urge the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights in coordination with the police chief to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of the shooting and those who ordered them.
IMF has sent a letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to support the demands of the Indonesian workers.