Protests Erupt in Indonesia Against Low Wages, Lawmaker Perks
(MENAFN) On Thursday, thousands of Indonesian workers gathered outside the House of Representatives in Jakarta to voice urgent demands against low wages, outsourcing practices, and escalating benefits for lawmakers.
The large-scale protest was spearheaded by the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation and the Labor Party, according to media.
Demonstrators called for an immediate halt to outsourcing, a crackdown on mass layoffs, and the creation of a dedicated task force to oversee job cuts. They also pushed for sweeping labor tax reforms, including raising the non-taxable income threshold to 7.5 million Indonesian rupiah ($458) per month and removing taxes on severance pay, holiday bonuses, and retirement funds.
In addition, workers demanded the enactment of legislation enabling asset confiscation in corruption cases, the passage of a new Labor Bill, and amendments to election laws ahead of the 2029 general elections.
The protests, ongoing since earlier this week, have also criticized lawmakers’ extravagant allowances. Besides their salaries, members of parliament receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,057), nearly ten times the minimum wage in Jakarta.
Facing mounting pressure, the House of Representatives clarified that the 580 lawmakers will only receive this housing stipend until October, media reported.
This unrest highlights growing tensions over economic inequality and governance as Indonesia approaches its next electoral cycle.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
