Jakarta – Around 20,000 workers from the Confederation of Indonesia Workers' Union (KSPI) staged a mass rally on Thursday from the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle to the State Palace to demand higher wages.

Kompas.com reported that the workers began to take to the streets around the traffic circle at 11 a.m., and proceeded to the Arjuna Wijaya statue (also known as the Horse statue) in Central Jakarta before carrying on to the State Palace.

Motorists were forced to divert to alternative routes due to the severe gridlock caused by the rally. Dozens of traffic police deployed to the area faced tremendous challenges to keep the traffic flowing.

Anti-riot police and water cannon were also on standby near a police post at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle. After the rally's start, an influx of newly arrived workers joined the mass protest. (apt/ebf)