Zaky Almubarok/Imron Rosyid, Boyolali – The government's plan to revise the Manpower Decree has been refused by many labor circles. About 3,000 members of Boyolali National Trade Union, yesterday (20/3) crowded the streets to refuse the decree revision.

They came to the Regional Parliament building asking for parliament's support in refusing it. "Don't strangle labor," said one of the labor's speakers after leaving the factory. According to the Boyolali Trade Union Chief, Wahono, the Manpower Decree revision is a step backward. On the matter of separation pay, for example, it will put labor at a loss if it is revised.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the Indonesian Entrepreneurs' Association, Djimanto, plans to submit an alternative draft for the Manpower Decree. "More or less, there are 32 Articles in the draft," he said last night.

According to Djimanto, the draft is important as the entrepreneurs' and government's effort to attract investors and improve the economic condition. "But don't blame us if the investment atmosphere is not growing. It's because of the government's attitude," he said.

Tempo obtained information that Apindo has submitted 16 Articles in the alternative draft to the Manpower Department. The fact is, Apindo plans to submit about 32 Articles in the alternative draft.

Before, the government planned to revise the Manpower Decree in order to create an investment atmosphere. Several trade and labor unions refused this aim of the government's.