INDONESIA-PROTEST/WORKERS Thousands of Indonesian workers protest government policies in the face of weakening domestic currency

Record ID: 140572

  • Title: INDONESIA-PROTEST/WORKERS Thousands of Indonesian workers protest government policies in the face of weakening domestic currency
  • Date: 1st September 2015
  • Summary: JAKARTA, INDONESIA (SEPTEMBER 1, 2015) (REUTERS) WORKERS MARCHING AHEAD TO PRESIDENTIAL PALACE VARIOUS WORKERS WEAR RED HEAD SCARF ON MARCHING THOUSANDS OF WORKERS PACK AT JAKARTA STREET VARIOUS WORKERS WITH BLACK UNIFORM AND WEAR RED HEAD SCARF WORKERS HOLDING FLAGS ARRIVE IN FRONT OF PRESIDENTIAL PALACE WORKERS GROUP WEARING BLUE UNIFORM ARRIVE IN FRONT OF PRESIDENTIAL PALACE (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) A WORKER, NORMAN LUBIS, SAYING: "If the value of our Rupiah weakens more, it not only affects the workers - the economic element in Indonesia will (also) be greatly affected. Especially the workers. And companies will start to lay off their workers. We hope that the government will get involved in this matter and offer help, as the retrenchment is being done blindly and very frequently these days." VARIOUS OF POLICE STANDING BEHIND BARBED WIRE BARRICADE WORKERS SHOUTING WITH THEIR FISTS IN THE AIR WORKER'S HAND PUNCHING THE AIR (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) A WORKER, YAYAN, SAYING: "Stop mass lay offs. Stop outsourcing. The annual wage increment should be implemented by the companies. And more importantly, (they) should include workers as applicants for health insurance." VARIOUS OF PROTEST COORDINATOR DURING SPEECH PROTESTERS BEHIND BARBED WIRE BARRICADE
  • Embargoed: 16th September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Indonesia
  • Country: Indonesia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA133NWZLFOHNYDNUK5KU2U3TP7
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Thousands of Indonesian workers held rallies across the country on Tuesday (September 1), urging the government to offer protective solutions in the face of rampant layoffs due to an economic slowdown and a weakening rupiah.
    Police stood guard, manning barbed wire barricades, as workers from almost 40 federations gathered in middle of the capital Jakarta and marched towards the presidential palace.
    Norman Lubis, a worker at a Unilever factory, felt the government should take immediate action.
    "If the value of our Rupiah weakens more, it not only affects the workers - the economic element in Indonesia will (also) be greatly affected. Especially the workers. And companies will start to lay off their workers. We hope that the government will get involved in this matter and offer help, as the retrenchment is being done blindly and very frequently these days," he told Reuters.
    Some workers also called for the government to adequately recognise workers' rights and ensure protection.
    "Stop mass lay offs. Stop outsourcing. The annual wage increment should be implemented by the companies. And more importantly, (they) should include workers as applicants for health insurance," said Yayan, another worker, in front of the presidential palace.
    Meanwhile, in East Java province, thousands of workers took to the streets, some in cars and on motorbikes brandishing protest flags. The workers came together in front of the Governor's Office in Surabaya and listened to coordinator speeches.
    Faced with falling exports and deflation risks, it suited much of Asia last week to let their currencies drift lower, until China's abrupt devaluation triggered a tide of volatility that is upsetting not just their currency management but also their growth strategies.
    Bank Indonesia, however, kept its main interest rate unchanged at a policy review, making clear currency stability is foremost among its priorities, even though the economy has slowed to its weakest pace in six years and inflation is falling.
    The central bank said it was aggressively intervening in the rupiah markets and even mopping up short-term cash to stop investors speculating against the currency.
    Indonesia is particularly vulnerable after a sharp loss of 14 percent in the rupiah against the dollar so far this year, low forex reserves and a heavy dose of foreign money in its debt markets.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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