Malang – The Malang chapter of the All-Indonesia Workers Union Federation (KSPSI) has rejected a call from the federation's headquarters to launch a three-day strike.

Head of KSPSI's Malang chapter Waridi explained why he rejected the call when he led a rally Thursday of about 5,000 workers from 48 companies in front of Malang City Hall in rejection to the government's plan to revise the 2003 Labor Law. "The workers need to earn to support themselves. If they strike they forfeit the chance to earn," Waridi said.

He reiterated that workers in Greater Malang (Malang mayoralty, Malang regency and Batu) would stage only a one-day rally because of the cost entailed in organizing one. Commenting on the massive rally, which turned violent in Jakarta on Wednesday, Waridi strongly condemned the unruly strike.

The workers joining Thursday's rally in Malang included representatives from cigarette companies including Bentoel Prima, PT Sampoerna, Kompas Agung, Gangsar and Karnia.