Without justifying the destructive behavior exhibited in last week's labor protests, many people think the protesters' demands were reasonable. How can the workers build stronger political bargaining power to fight for their rights and how can the government and employers accommodate them? The Jakarta Post asked some people about this issue.

Bambang Aria Wibawa, 28, works for a manufacturing company. He lives in Bekasi: It is the politicians who said the labor protests were smeared by political interests. For the workers themselves, the rally was an expression of real worries and concerns.

The government has taken the easy way out in trying to create a better investment climate by revising the Labor Law in favor of businesses. The main problem, and the most difficult one to solve, is the high-cost economy. Systemic reform is needed here, instead of putting the nation's most vulnerable people under pressure.

Muammar Ali, 23, is a college student who lives in Depok: I am not trying to justify the violence, but accumulative pressure from the companies (demonstrators work for) – both financially and legally – triggered the ugly events of last week. It was also an expression of their disappointment at knowing the government – supposedly their last resort – had somehow betrayed them.

That is why they do not trust the tripartite forum or any sort of discussion they are excluded from. It is just very unfortunate that the ones who have to deal with the laborers' rage are low-ranking officers.