Indonesia: Protests against Omnibus bill planned nationwide November 1

Event

The Confederation of Indonesian Workers Unions (KSPI) has stated that it will call for protests nationwide on Sunday, November 1, if President Joko Widodo signs the Job Creation Law, also known as the "Omnibus" bill, as he is expected to do so on Wednesday, October 28. The KSPI has stated that demonstrations will be held in 20 provinces and over 200 regencies in relation to the potential signing. The KSPI has called for these gatherings to be peaceful in nature.

Further demonstrations are possible across the country in the near term. A heightened security presence and localized disruptions are possible in the vicinity of all demonstrations.

Context

The Omnibus bill was passed into law on October 5, and opponents believe the bill will undermine labor rights in Indonesia and weaken environmental protections in favor of big business.

Some 800 people have been detained in major cities in the latest series of demonstrations, and two students hospitalized with serious head injuries.

Advice

Those in Indonesia are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all demonstrations and political gatherings, and heed any instructions issued by local authorities.