Three million Indonesian workers strike for higher wages
Jakarta (AsiaNews
/ Agencies ) - At least three million Indonesian workers begin a two day national
strike today, called to ask for better wages in one of South East Asia's best
economies . The
cost of living, said the organizers of the protest, is growing due to the high
inflation caused to improve exports: This is why it is crucial that workers be
given an adequate salary.
Said
Iqbal , president of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions ( KSPI ) ,
explains: " Many workers can no longer afford to pay the rent and live
under bridges or even the sewers. Instead of rice, they are forced to eat
pre-cooked spaghetti. We have worked a lot to help
the economic recovery, why are we being trampled on? " .
The
strikers claim to have been affected in particular by the stellar rise in fuel costs
in June, when oil rose by 44% and diesel by 22%. With
this strike, says Iqbal , "we are asking for just a decent pay raise to
compensate for inflation".
According
to the KSPI , the national strike was joined by the workers of the industries
ranging from textiles to mining in 20 of the 34 provinces of the country. 300
thousand protesters are expected today in the capital Jakarta, while 400
thousand others will march on the industrial center of Bekasi .
In
recent years, Indonesia has always reached an average economic growth of at
least 6% annually. But
in recent months this has slowed and businesses have been affected by the fear
that the United States could stop the stimulus program to industry.
However,
Indonesia remains one of the most robust economies among nations in the
developing world, so that workers in Jakarta this year t got a minimum wage
increase of 44% to around 142 euro per month. The
protesters are demanding that the figure arrivas "at least" at about
240 euro .
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