Amelia Rahima Sari, Jakarta – The Indonesian Trade Unions Confederation or KSPI claimed that nearly one million workers staged a protest and took part in a nationwide strike on Thursday, November 30, 2023. The protest was held to demand a decent hike in the next year's regional minimum wage.

"Some 500,000 workers join the strike in the Cikarang Industrial Area, Bekasi Regency," KSPI chairman Said Iqbal said in his official statement on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.

Said outlined that about 100,000 workers in East Java attended the rally held at the Governor's Office. In addition, some 150,000 workers in the Greater Bandung area went on strike in Leuwi Gajah and Cimareme.

"[The rally in] Jakarta was held at the Pulo Gadung Industrial Area and City Hall, and was attended by more than 50,000 workers," he added.

The rally was also held at the Banten Governor's Office. According to Said, some 100,000 workers participated in the strike. "Other major cities will also stage rallies, such as Semarang, Medan, Makassar, Batam, Banjarmasin, and others," he said.

He explained that in this initial national strike, workers insisted on halting production which would paralyze 100 points in industrial districts and cities.

"The strike will last from 9 a.m. until it is finished until the governors ensure that the increase in the regency or city minimum wage (UMK) is not changed from the recommended amount proposed by each regent and mayor," he stressed.

Said pointed out that this was the last day for the governors to decide on the regional minimum wage recommended by the regent or mayor.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1803654/labor-union-nearly-1-million-workers-join-nationwide-strike-toda