Indonesia: Labor protests are planned nationwide through at least Dec. 19 amid the minimum wage declaration deadline /update 1

Labor unions plan to stage demonstrations nationwide through at least Dec. 19. The events are related to the Dec. 18 Regency and City Minimum Wage (UMK) deadline. Details of known gatherings include:

• Bandung, West Java Province: Rally planned at Gedung Sate and the West Java Provincial Manpower and Transmigration Office from 10:00 Dec. 16-18. Union leaders expect up to 5,000 participants for each gathering.

• Surabaya, East Java Province: The East Java Federation of Indonesian Metal Workers Unions (Federasi Serikat Pekerja Metal Indonesia, FSPMI) plans to hold a protest at the Grahadi State Building and the East Java Provincial Governor's Office 09:00-17:00 Dec. 17-19.

• Palembang, South Sumatra Province: Rally planned at the South Sumatra Provincial Manpower and Transmigration Office, the Central Bureau of Statistics South Sumatra Office, and the South Sumatra Governor's Office Dec. 18. The specific time of the protest is unclear; thousands of activists could join the action.

Additional demonstrations are possible nationwide. Rallies in major cities could attract hundreds to thousands of participants.

Authorities are likely to increase security deployment to monitor related gatherings. Officials will probably impose security cordons, diversions, and road closures if there is a large turnout. Transport disruptions are likely near rally venues, especially if activists march along or block roads. Scuffles are possible, mainly if demonstrators try to bypass security barriers.