Indonesia: Workers plan long marches from Bandung and Cilegon to Jakarta March 10-14

Event

Activists from the Labor Party and several worker unions are planning two long marches from Cilegon, Banten Province, and Bandung, West Java Province March 10-14 to oppose the job creation law. The marches will culminate in a demonstration at the House of Representatives (DPR) building in the capital Jakarta March 14. While organizers did not specify a start time for the action March 14, they have urged people to gather in other cities, such as Aceh, Ambon, Bandung, Banjarmasin, Batam, Bengkulu, Lampung, Makassar, Medan, Morowali, Pekanbaru, Samarinda, Serang, Semarang, Surabaya, Ternate, and Yogyakarta. Possible gathering venues include government buildings, such as provincial, regency, and city councils and the offices of governors, regents, and mayors; and prominent roadways.

Authorities will likely enact increased security measures near rally sites, especially in Jakarta. Officials will almost certainly deploy security personnel at protest sites. Localized traffic and business disruptions are possible. Clashes may occur, especially if police forcibly disperse demonstrators. Police could conduct mass arrests if protesters get violent or refuse to disperse.

Advice

Avoid any protests due to possible clashes. If violence occurs nearby, immediately depart the area and seek shelter at a safe nongovernmental building. Plan for localized transport and business disruptions. Allow additional time to reach destinations near protest sites. Heed all official security and transport advisories.