Ahmad Fikri, Jakarta – Hundred of workers in Bandung, West Java clashed with police outside Gedung Sate in a protest to reject the Joint Regulation of four ministers which rule the minimum wage level for local workers in the wake of global financial crisis.

Workers started to scuffle with police just before 1 PM, about three hours after the first group of workers arrived at the West Java Governor's office. Workers demanded to meet with Governor Ahmad Heryawan.

Several trade unions gathered under the Alliance of Bandung Workers Union to protest this year's annual wage level set by the regional administration. Spokesman for the workers said the wage level prepared by the regional administration covered a lesser percentage of 85 percent of the proper basic needs. Last year the level covered 92 percent of the proper basic necessities.

Workers also rejected the joint regulation of Labor and Transmigration Minister, Trade Minister, Industry Minister, and the Home Affairs Minister issued late in October which allows employer to increase wage just below the economic growth rate of about 6 percent.

Inflation rate according to the Statistics Indonesia were lower on October setting the year on year rate at 11,77 percent slightly above the government limit of 11,5 percent. Workers demanded an increase on their pay by 18 percent.

The clashed then ended after protesters and the authorities managed to calm down. However workers threatened the regional government to return on Wednesday and the next day after Wednesday with larger number of protesters and to block toll roads around the city should their demands would not be considered.