Cikarang, West Java – Thousands of workers took to the streets again on Thursday after it became apparent that the Indonesian Employers Association would not withdraw its lawsuit against the West Java and Bekasi district governments objecting to a minimum wage increase of up to 30 percent.

Myra Hanartani, from the Manpower and Transmigration Ministry, which is mediating between the parties, said on Monday that the association, also known as Apindo, would withdraw the case on Thursday.

However, Apindo chairman Sofjan Wanandi said that was not the case. "Apindo is not withdrawing the lawsuit, just suspending it. There are some factors that have to be agreed first," Sofjan told beritasatu.com, a sister company of the Jakarta Globe. He did not elaborate on the factors.

Apindo's refusal to withdraw the lawsuit, lodged at the West Java State Administrative Affairs Court, prompted another crippling protest on Thursday.

Thousands of workers blocked seven access routes to the Cikarang industrial area, causing massive gridlock. The demonstrators cut off access to the West Cikarang toll gate using dozens of motorbikes lined up on one side of the road, causing crippling traffic jams of up to three kilometers long.

Adj. Comr. Tri Yulianto, the head of the Bekasi district police traffic management unit, said his 200 officers were overwhelmed by the demonstrators and were unable to ease the congestion or reopen the blocked roads. "Tens of thousands of workers are cutting off access to the industrial zones," Tri said.

Baris Silitonga, a protest coordinator, told beritasatu.com that the demonstration ended at 5 p.m. on Thursday after word that Apindo would withdraw its lawsuit from the West Java State Administrative Court today. "But if [Apindo] is lying again, we won't hesitate in crippling the city again. We are not joking," Baris said.

The controversy arose after the West Java governor issued a decree last year at the recommendation of Bekasi district that set minimum monthly wages for Bekasi workers in 2012 within a range of Rp 1.49 million to Rp 1.85 million ($164 to $207), an increase from Rp 1.42 million. Apindo was unhappy with the decree and said it intended to take the Bekasi municipal administration to court in order to have it revoked.

Last week, following Wednesday's massive protest, Sofjan expressed concern that the ongoing labor troubles in the industrial region might act as a hindrance to foreign investment. Bekasi is home to manufacturers including auto makers Daihatsu and Suzuki.

[Additional reporting from Antara.]